Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, of ESPN, spoke with The Dallas Express on Wednesday to emphasize the importance of early screening for type 1 diabetes.
Diabetes as a whole is a common disease throughout the United States, with roughly 38.4 million people of all ages having some form of the disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC further states that 1.7 million adults aged 20 years or older have both type 1 diabetes and use insulin to manage the disease, representing 5.7% of all U.S. adults with diabetes.
Schefter has partnered with Sanofi, an AI-powered biopharmaceutical company, to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes and the importance of early screening to develop a personalized management plan. Many other well-known figures have joined Schefter in partnering with Sanofi to promote this cause, including Chrissy Teigen, Jordan Chiles, and Usher.
Schefter, who discussed multiple topics with The Dallas Express, said there “won’t be anything that we touch on that’s any more important than what I’m about to share.”
“I want everyone to know that they should be equally informed and that early knowledge is crucial when it comes to your health. And it’s why I partnered with Sanofi to raise awareness around the importance of screening for type 1 diabetes.”
“T1D can’t be prevented, but it can be detected early. So screening can give you valuable time to prepare. It’s why I want people to make a plan.”
Schefter further detailed why he has grown so invested in this cause, explaining to The Dallas Express that his wife, Sharri Maio, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and deals with the disease daily.
“This was a new world that I’ve stepped into. There are a lot of people who all of a sudden have a loved one or a friend that has type 1 diabetes. When I married my wife 18 plus years ago, you know, I didn’t even know there was a difference between type 1 and type 2,” Schefter said.
“It requires daily regular maintenance. It’s a huge part of our life. You know, last night we’re at home, my wife’s sugars start crashing. She’s in bed all night.”
Schefter called type 1 diabetes a “very tough disease to deal with,” stressing the importance of an early diagnosis to help create a plan and manage the symptoms.
“It comes back to why I’m here today. And urging people to get screened, so they can give themselves valuable time to prepare to make a plan to do all that’s necessary.”
While getting an early screening for type 1 diabetes may seem like a daunting task, Schefter emphasized that the process is surprisingly straightforward.
“Just go to your doctor and tell him or her that you want to be screened, and they’ll handle everything from there. That’s the most important thing.”
Those looking for more information on type 1 diabetes and the early screening process can visit screenfortype1.com.