Debbie Allen, Janssen Pharmaceuticals team up for health-and-wellness program

RARITAN, N.J. — Debbie Allen, an Emmy-award winning actress and choreographer is teaming up with dancers from the television dance competition "So You Think You Can Dance" and Janssen Pharmaceuticals to launch T2 Dance Crew, a national education and wellness program that encourages people with Type 2 diabetes to increase physical activity as part of managing their condition.



“I saw firsthand how challenging it was for my dad to manage his Type 2 diabetes,” Allen said. “He tried to make some changes in his lifestyle, but the one thing I couldn’t get him to do was exercise more. That’s why I joined the T2 Dance Crew campaign. We are showing millions of people how taking small steps, like dancing, can make a meaningful difference in managing diabetes. The best part is — everybody can dance, and it’s fun!”   



Program resources are available in both English and Spanish online at T2DanceCrew.com. Allen joins "So You Think You Can Dance" fan favorites Fik-Shun and Janette Manarara to share inspirational stories and lead instructional dance videos. Additionally, the T2 Dance Crew will host a series of local events that feature live dance classes taught by Fik-Shun and Manrara, health screenings and diabetes education across the country.



“Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease typically requiring lifestyle changes such as managing body weight that can often seem overwhelming,” said Richard Aguilar, M.D., Medical Director of Diabetes Nation. “I tell my patients to initially set realistic goals and develop a step-wise management plan that delivers results you can see, feel and build upon every day. The T2 Dance Crew can reach millions with these important and useful messages to motivate people to work with their healthcare provider and start taking small steps to better manage their diabetes.”