Listen Live
CLOSE

Diabetes does not discriminate. It doesn’t care whether you’re famous or not, if your body frame is small, medium or large, or whether you’re female or male.

Diabetes affects millions of individuals all over the world.  The statistics for African-Americans developing diabetes are alarming.  African-Americans are 1.8 times more likely to develop diabetes as white people are. Among African-Americans age 20 or older, about 3.7 million have diabetes. Lastly, the death rates for African-Americans with diabetes are 27 percent higher than for white people. Celebrities from various arenas of sports, entertainment, music and arts are also living and coping with diabetes.  Several of them are using their voice to support and advocate more awareness about the disease, and spreading inspirational words to others.

HALLE BERRY (actress)

Actress Halle Berry discovered she was diabetic after collapsing while working on set. She was rushed to the hospital and fell into a diabetic coma for a week.  Once discharged, Halle changed her lifestyle through diet and exercise.  She has successfully lived with diabetes and is an advocate and spokesperson for pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk.  In a past interview, Halle stated, “Diabetes turned out to be a gift,” “it gave me strength and toughness because I had to face reality, no matter how uncomfortable or painful it was.”

DAMON DASH (entrepreneur)

Entrepreneur Damon Dash is known in the hip hop community as one of the founders of the successful company, Rocafella Records with hip hop great Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Kareem “Biggs” Burke.  He has moved on and made an impact in the film and fashion worlds with Rachel Roy Designs and movies, The Woodsman, Paid in Full and the documentary, Mr. Untouchable.  Many people may not even know he was diagnosed with diabetes type 1 at an early age.  He continues to let other knows its okay to be diabetic and the importance of knowing how to take care of yourself.  Damon is an advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

J. ANTHONY BROWN (comedian, radio personality)

J. Anthony was diagnosed with diabetes over fifteen years ago.  He was familiar with diabetes because he lost both of his parents to complications of diabetes.  After his diagnosis, he started the J. Anthony Brown Foundation, which provides information and funding for diabetes patients to obtain both medical supplies and prosthetic limbs. You can hear J. Anthony Brown weekdays on the syndicated show, “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” murdering the hits and delivering witty antidotes and views on relationships, news and popular celebrities.

DORIAN GREGORY (actor)

Dorian was diagnosed with type one diabetes at the age of nine. Diabetes runs in his family. He offers some words of wisdom to others with diabetes, “”Make the maintenance of your diabetes fit your construct. If you are forgetful, set alarms to remind you of what you [have to do]. Know that life is our medicine, not just the shots or pills we take. Exercise, food, sleep, management of stress is also our medicine. Take all your medicine, and you will be well.”

Dorian has appeared in long running shows such as Charmed and Baywatch and served as host of popular show, Soul Train.

IF YOU LIKED THIS STORY, CHECK THESE OUT:

9 Foods Diabetics Should Eat

A New Guide For African-American Families on Diabetes [VIDEO]

Do You Know Which Black Celebs Have Diabetes?  was originally published on elev8.com