Angela Bassett headlines Know Diabetes by Heart's virtual show from the Apollo Theater

ARLINGTON, Va. and DALLAS, May 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actress Angela Bassett will perform an original monologue based on her family's personal experience with type 2 diabetes and heart disease during a free, virtual show she's also hosting from Harlem's World-Famous Apollo Theater on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

The event is produced and presented by Know Diabetes by Heart™, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association that helps people with diabetes, their loved ones and the health professionals who care for them manage the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease, such as heart attacks, strokes and heart failure.

Know Diabetes by Heart at the Theater from the Apollo begins at 8 p.m. EDT (7 p.m. CDT). Advance registration is not required. To save the date, download the discussion guide and watch the show on May 25, go to DiabetesTheater.org.

Bassett, who serves as the celebrity ambassador for Know Diabetes by Heart in honor of her late mother, will host the first-ever Know Diabetes by Heart at the Theater event, which also includes monologues inspired by the turning points of Sarah Bryant and Anthony Wilson, two Know Diabetes by Heart national ambassadors now thriving with type 2 diabetes.

In addition to three moving theater performances, the event will feature entertainment by Howard University alumna Sage Chase, a jazz ensemble, dance and conversations around overcoming diabetes, heart disease and stroke in our families and community.

People living with type 2 diabetes are two times more likely to develop and die from cardiovascular disease than people who do not have diabetes.¹²³ When compared to non-Hispanic white people, non-Hispanic Black people are three times as likely to end up in the hospital for uncontrolled diabetes.⁴

"We know our Black brothers and sisters too often face a higher burden of illness. But we also know education, advocacy and structural change can make a difference. Whether you live with diabetes, love someone with diabetes or have lost someone to diabetes, heart disease or stroke, you'll relate to something in this show," Bassett said.  "My hope is that everyone watching will have a good time and also decide to harness the individual power they have to improve their health and live these beautiful lives we have to the fullest."

Know Diabetes by Heart is made possible with support from founding sponsors, the Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company Diabetes Alliance, and Novo Nordisk, and national sponsors, Sanofi, AstraZeneca and Bayer.

About Know Diabetes by Heart™

The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association launched the collaborative landmark initiative called Know Diabetes by Heart™ to comprehensively combat the national public health impact of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Through Know Diabetes by Heart™, the leading nonprofit associations, with founding sponsors the Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company Diabetes Alliance, and Novo Nordisk, and national sponsors Sanofi, AstraZeneca and Bayer are focused on positively empowering people living with type 2 diabetes to better manage their risk for cardiovascular disease such as, heart attacks, strokes and heart failure, and supporting health care providers in educating and treating people living with type 2 diabetes to reduce their cardiovascular risk. Visit KnowDiabetesbyHeart.org for resources.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public's health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

About the American Diabetes Association^®

Every day more than 4,000 people are newly diagnosed with diabetes in America. More than 122 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes and are striving to manage their lives while living with the disease. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation's leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 80 years the ADA has been driving discovery and research to treat, manage and prevent diabetes, while working relentlessly for a cure. We help people with diabetes thrive by fighting for their rights and developing programs, advocacy and education designed to improve their quality of life. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).

About The Apollo Theater

The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. For more information about the Apollo, visit ApolloTheater.org.

For Media Inquiries:

American Heart Association – Jayme Sandberg: 214-706-2169; Jayme.Sandberg@heart.org

American Diabetes Association – Daisy Diaz: 703-253-4807; press@diabetes.org    

For Public Inquiries:

1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) heart.org  and stroke.org 

1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or diabetes.org (emails to: AskADA@diabetes.org)

¹ Association AH. Cardiovascular Disease: A Costly Burden for America. 2017; https://healthmetrics.heart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Cardiovascular-Disease-A-CostlyBurden.pdf. Accessed May 22, 2018 

² Health No. Diabetes in America. Vol Pub No. 17-1468. 3rd ed. ed. Bethesda, MD: NIH; 2017.

³ The Emerging Risk Factors C. Diabetes mellitus, fasting blood glucose concentration, and risk of vascular disease: a collaborative meta-analysis of 102 prospective studies. Lancet. 2010;375(9733):2215-2222. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS01406736(10)60484-9/fulltext

⁴ https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=18

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SOURCE American Diabetes Association; American Heart Association