Good Neighbor Pharmacy(R) Ironman Competitor Inspires Individuals With Diabetes to Live Without Limits
VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ — In 2007, Good Neighbor Pharmacy(R) featuring Diabetes Shoppe(R), teamed up with “Iron Andy” Holder as part of the “Managing Diabetes: Living Without Limits” campaign. Andy set out to speak about living with diabetes as an Ironman competitor, but his message resonated with dozens of individuals who were inspired by his story — to live without limits, no matter what their daily challenges.
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2005 at age 36, Andy Holder was determined not to let the disease hold him back. He decided to take control of his diabetes and inspire others by becoming an Ironman competitor. As an Ironman, Andy must swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a full marathon of 26.2 miles. With the help of his endocrinologist, Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and local Good Neighbor pharmacist, Andy safely manages his disease during extreme training and competition.
During this past year, Andy participated in athletic events throughout the country. At his stops, Andy spoke to various groups at local Good Neighbor Pharmacies, at health expos and at diabetes support-group events to inspire people to take an active role in managing their disease and to educate them on how their pharmacist may be able to help with their daily challenges.
One of Andy’s biggest fans is Rochelle Parker of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Rochelle noted, “Andy was a HUGE motivator for my son, Drake. Andy has listened to Drake’s trials and issues about living with diabetes. My son is very athletic. He plays football, basketball, and baseball, and for him to see another person who is type 1 and doing something that others say is impossible was very much needed in his life. Drake’s motto is: ‘If Andy can be an Ironman then I can do this.’”
Rochelle went on to say, “I guess the main thing that I love about Andy is he just gets my son and everything he’s going through, and he can provide the support and encouragement that Drake needs living with diabetes.”
Stories like Rochelle’s have been captured on a Good Neighbor Pharmacy program website — Diabetes Shoppe’s http://livingwithoutlimits.diabetes-shoppe.com/. The site will profile a number of people who have been inspired by Andy’s story. The website also posts Andy’s schedule for the upcoming year.
Feb. 2: Sandy, Utah; ADA Expo Salt Lake City Mar. 29: Oceanside, Calif.; Ford Ironman 70.3 Apr. 13: Tempe, Ariz.; Ford Ironman Arizona May 4: Cincinnati, Ohio; Flying Pig Marathon
For more information about the Managing Diabetes: Living Without Limits Campaign, visit http://livingwithoutlimits.diabetes-shoppe.com/. Information is also available at Diabetes Shoppe, located inside Good Neighbor Pharmacies across the country.
About AmerisourceBergen(R), Good Neighbor Pharmacy(R) and Diabetes Shoppe(R)
Good Neighbor Pharmacy, an AmerisourceBergen program, is a network of nearly 2,800 independently owned and operated community pharmacies. Diabetes Shoppe offers marketing and educational support to independent pharmacies that are dedicated to the care and management of diabetes patients. There are currently over 1,000 Diabetes Shoppe members, located in independent pharmacies nationwide. Diabetes Shoppe is an offering of AmerisourceBergen.
AmerisourceBergen is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical services companies serving the United States, Canada and selected global markets. Servicing both pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers in the pharmaceutical supply channel, the Company provides drug distribution and related services designed to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. AmerisourceBergen’s service solutions range from pharmacy automation and pharmaceutical packaging to reimbursement and pharmaceutical consulting services. With more than $66 billion in annualized revenue, AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and employs more than 11,500 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #29 on the Fortune 500 list. For more information, go to http://www.amerisourcebergen.com/.
Good Neighbor Pharmacy
CONTACT: Nora Beger of AmerisourceBergen, +1-610-727-2384,nbeger@amerisourcebergen.com, for Good Neighbor Pharmacy
Web site: http://livingwithoutlimits.diabetes-shoppe.com/http://www.amerisourcebergen.com/