FAQ

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, viral campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of exercise for people with diabetes and help support diabetes charities in the process. For more details, read the page that explains what is The Big Blue Test.

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.

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 minutes of exercise decreased participants’ blood sugar level between 15 and 20 percent. This can be a significant drop for most people with diabetes.

Q: Can I do The Big Blue Test mode 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 the Diabetes Hands Foundation. In 2011, it is sponsored by Roche Diabetes Care, makers of ACCU-CHEK® products and services.

Q: How Big Blue Test different in 2011 vs. 2010?
A: In 2010, the donation made by Roche Diabetes Care was tied to the number of views that the Big Blue Test promotional video received. As a result, 2,000 children with diabetes in third world countries received life-saving insulin. In 2011, in connection with the number of people that do the Big Blue Test, another donation from Roche Diabetes Care will benefit more than 8,000 people with diabetes in need. So, this year we need people to not just watch the video (which we hope you do, anyway) but DO the Big Blue Test and share the results on BigBlueTest.org.

Q: Which are the programs that are receiving a Big Blue Test grant in 2011?
A: A total of US$75,000 will be donated by Roche Diabetes Care to benefit more than 8,000 people with diabetes in need. US$25,000 will go to support the work in Latin America by the International Diabetes Federation’s Life for a Child Programme. The 5 nonprofits that will benefit from the remaining US$50,000 in Big Blue Test grants are all based in the United States. They are: LIFT For Teens/Walk and Play For Wellness in San Rafael, CA; Moundville Medical Clinic, near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, c/o Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy; Pecos Valley Medical Center, Inc. Pecos NM; St. Anthony Medical Clinic, St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco, CA and University of Colorado Denver School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Q: How did Diabetes Hands Foundation (DHF) select the US-based programs that would receive the grants in 2011?
A: DHF 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 is responsible for The Big Blue Test video(s)?
A: Two years in a row, the Big Blue Test videos were directed, shot, edited, and motion designed by Sean Ross, an LA-based documentary and commercial filmmaker. In the 2011 video, Jeffrey Lee was responsible for Production Coordination and second camera in some locations. Andreina Davila served as Art Director and Manny Hernandez was Producer of the video. The music for the 2011 video was “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities.

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.