Cacique To Launch National Diabetes Education Campaign Aimed @ Hispanics.

Launching a campaign to address the skyrocketing problem of diabetes in the Hispanic community, Cacique announced that it is underwriting an unprecedented $3 million national Hispanic diabetes education campaign. This first of its kind campaign, which will be titled, Fighting Diabetes Together, is designed to raise public awareness and educate Hispanic Americans on the disease. In addition, Cacique will donate $1 million to diabetes research at City of Hope in hopes of helping to fund a cure.

“This national campaign represents an important step towards addressing the growing national problem of diabetes in the Hispanic community. For more than 30 years, Cacique(R) has worked hard and earned the respect of our community by embracing issues of importance to Hispanic families throughout the country,” said Maria de Cardenas, Chief Communications Executive for Cacique Incorporated.

Diabetes is a significant concern in Hispanic populations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 percent of Hispanic adults in the U.S. and Puerto Rico have been diagnosed with diabetes. This rate is a staggering 50 percent higher than that of white Americans. Approximately 2.3 percent of Hispanics aged 18-44 have been diagnosed with diabetes, 12 percent of those aged 45-64 and 21.4 percent of those aged 65 and older. In addition, Hispanics are two times more likely to develop diabetes than non-Hispanics and the disease is the seventh leading cause of death for this ethnic group. Studies have found that Hispanics with diabetes have higher rates of complications such as kidney disease, eye disease and vascular disease.

“By working with City of Hope we are showing appreciation for our community and telling the millions of Hispanics who suffer or are at risk of developing diabetes that there is hope,” said de Cardenas. “We could think of no better time, then our 30th anniversary to give back to our consumers for their support while also helping the community fight a disease that is devastating our families.”

The campaign kicks off with educational diabetes seminars open to the public in ten markets including Los Angeles, Dallas, Las Vegas, Atlanta, San Francisco/San Jose, Fresno, Phoenix, Chicago, Houston and Miami. The campaign includes public service announcements, television and radio advertisements in Spanish, culturally relevant handouts, point of purchase displays and targeted community outreach.

“City of Hope has an unrivaled track record in diabetes research. Support from organizations like Cacique gives us the opportunity to continue this success and reach thousands of people with advancements in the treatment of diabetes,” said Alan Levey, Executive Vice President of Development, City of Hope.

Recently released U.S. Census numbers confirm that Hispanics now constitute the largest minority group in the U.S. As this population continues to grow, diseases like diabetes that are prevalent among Hispanics will continue to rise, as will costs associated with treatment and education. The Cacique Foundation’s Fighting Diabetes Together campaign hopes to address this health concern and stem the devastation that afflicts the Hispanic community.