Medtronic, Inc. announced today that Test B4U Drive, the first-ever, free program for teens with diabetes combining advanced driver skills training with diabetes management education, will be held July 19-21 at The Forum in Los Angeles. In partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes No Limits Foundation, Medtronic will continue the program throughout the summer across the country to teach teens with diabetes that good diabetes management is a key to staying safe behind the wheel.
“Test B4U Drive was inspired by the most important part of a teen driver's diabetes management plan - checking his or her glucose level before getting behind the wheel”
"Test B4U Drive was inspired by the most important part of a teen driver's diabetes management plan - checking his or her glucose level before getting behind the wheel," said Francine Kaufman, M.D., chief medical officer and vice president, global medical, clinical and health affairs for the Diabetes business at Medtronic. "If a teen's glucose level is low or high, it must be treated and reach a normal range before driving. An insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor together in an integrated system, like the Medtronic Minimed Paradigm® REAL-Time Revel™ System, can help keep glucose levels in check 24 hours a day, so that fewer fluctuations occur."
For all teens, driving is a privilege that comes with great risk - motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds1. Teens with diabetes face an increased risk while driving because an abnormal glucose level can impair essential driving skills like reaction time and judgment.
To help decrease this risk, Test B4U Drive will offer teens with diabetes real-world, hands-on training led by professional instructors that helps them identify and react to critical situations behind the wheel. Interactive classroom sessions will teach defensive driving techniques and share useful tips like checking glucose levels before driving, pulling over to a safe place to check again when driving long distances, taking action when glucose is too low or high, and carrying the right supplies.
"We are proud to partner with Medtronic and bring Test B4U Drive to America's communities," said Tom Bregmann, co-founder, Juvenile Diabetes No Limits Foundation. "We're confident this program will help underscore that teens with diabetes can live life without limits and become safer drivers."
Test B4U Drive is being offered to teens with diabetes at these locations in 2010:
- July 19-21, The Forum, Los Angeles
- July 26-28, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo. (Denver area)
- August 2-4, KCI Expo Center, Kansas City, Mo.
- August 9-11, Standard Bank Stadium, Crestwood, Ill. (Chicago area)
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