Emmy-nominated actress Aida Turturro, also known as Janice Soprano on the award-winning HBO series, "The Sopranos," is teaming up with sanofi-aventis, a world leader in diabetes care, to speak out and raise awareness about the importance of controlling diabetes. Ms. Turturro, who has lived with type 2 diabetes for the past six years, works with her doctor to manage her condition, and is encouraging other people living with the disease to do the same.


In the coming months, Ms. Turturro will be traveling the country to share her personal story and discuss the steps she has taken to get her diabetes in control. Ms. Turturro will conduct speaking engagements at hospitals and with diabetes support groups. These events are designed to encourage diabetes patients to speak with their doctor about the importance of testing their A1C levels regularly to make sure their blood sugar levels are under control. A1C (also known as glycated hemoglobin or HbA1c) testing measures average blood sugar levels over a period of two to three months.


"I am participating in this campaign to share my story and encourage others with diabetes to check their blood sugar regularly and make sure their A1C level is under control. The best way to accomplish this is to talk with your doctor and come up with a comprehensive plan and set goals to help manage your diabetes," stated Ms. Turturro. "For me, my doctor recommended diet and exercise in combination with oral medications at first, but I still wasn't getting my blood sugar under control. Then, about three years ago, we added Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection), a once-daily, long-acting insulin to my treatment plan. Along with diet, exercise and the other diabetes medications I take, it has helped me to achieve good glucose control."


The CDC estimates that more than 20 million Americans have diabetes, with an estimated 6 million or more unaware they have the disease. Prior to taking control of her diabetes, Ms. Turturro was one of approximately half of diabetes patients in the United States whose blood sugar levels were not in good control. Diabetes treatment is based on balancing insulin levels with blood sugar levels. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), in general, diabetes patients should strive to achieve an A1C score that is less than 7 percent.