Q: What is the Big Blue Test?

A: The Big Blue Test started in 2009 as a creative way to encourage people with diabetes to stay active. It has grown into a global campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of exercise for people with diabetes and help support diabetes charities in the process. To learn more about the Big Blue Test, watch this video.

Q: What is the goal of The Big Blue Test?

A: With The Big Blue Test we seek to raise awareness about the importance of exercise in connection with diabetes management. In 2012, we want to have more than 20,000 people DO the Big Blue Test.

Q: What is the deal with “14 to 20 minutes of exercise”?

A: In spite of how little time 14 to 20 minutes may sound like, we have seen just 14-20 minutes of exercise decreased participants’ blood sugar level an average of 20 percent. This can be a significant drop for most people with diabetes.

Q: Can I do The Big Blue Test if I don’t have diabetes?

A: Yes. Once the Big Blue Test web site starts collecting entries, you will have an opportunity to count your participation, indicating that you don’t have diabetes: we won’t ask you to test your blood sugar, but your participation will count towards the 20,000 entries goal.

Q: Can I do The Big Blue Test more than once?

A: Yes. As long as each entry logged corresponds to an independent event, there is no restriction in the number of times anyone can do and log their Big Blue Test results.

Q: Who is behind The Big Blue Test?
A: The Big Blue Test is a program of Diabetes Hands Foundation. In 2012, it is sponsored again by Roche Diabetes Care, makers of ACCU-CHEK® products and services.

Q: Which are the programs that are receiving a Big Blue Test grant in 2012?

A: Five US-based initiatives are each eligible to receive US$10,000 in funding, with the remaining US$50,000 being supporting projects in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. These grants are made possible by Roche Diabetes Care, makers of ACCU-CHEK® products and services, through its ongoing sponsorship of the Big Blue Test.

The following US-based projects are eligible for funding, each aimed at providing people touched by diabetes who are in need with lifesaving supplies, medical tests, treatment, and/or patient education,:

• Auxanomen Health Clinic at Parker Lane United Methodist Church in Austin, TX
• American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad, Inc. (AYUDA) for its work with the Pascua Yaqui tribe in Pima County, AZ
• DASH (Diabetes and Sports Health) Camps / LIFT-Levantaté  in Oakland, CA
• Insulin for Life USA in Gainesville, FL
• University of Colorado, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Aurora, CO

Diabetes Hands Foundation is partnering with recognized NGOs to bring Big Blue Test Grant funding to our international projects:

• Fundación Aprendiendo a Vivir in Dominican Republic; and Fundación Diabetes Juvenil Ecuador in Ecuador, through American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad, Inc. (AYUDA)
• Fondation Haitienne de Diabète et de Maladies Cardio-Vasculaires (FHADIMAC) in Haiti, through World Diabetes Foundation

Q: How did Diabetes Hands Foundation select the US-based programs that would receive the grants?

A: We put out a call for nominations to the Diabetes Programs in all 50 states in the US. We received nearly 80 applicants. The final five programs were chosen on the basis of: having a budget under US$100,000 (we wanted smaller programs to get the grants) and serving as many patients as possible in an underserved and/or rural area where there is a high risk and/or high incidence of diabetes. Also, in general, programs that served people with all types of diabetes ranked higher than programs only focused on people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes alone.

Q: Who makes the Big Blue Test videos?

A: Since 2010, the Big Blue Test videos have been directed, shot, edited, and motion designed by Sean Ross, an LA-based documentary and commercial filmmaker.

Q: How can I get a Big Blue Test t-shirt?

A: You can get your Big Blue Test t-shirt through the DHF Online Store.