Culture
Octavia Spencer and Sofía Vergara are partnering for a new health campaign that aims to inspire women to focus on their health.
Sofía Vergara and Octavia Spencer Team Up for the “Detect the SOS” Campaign to Advocate for Kidney Screening
Sofía Vergara and Octavia Spencer say they are “on a mission” with an initiative aimed at public health.
The actresses talking only to People, revealed they have joined forces with Boehringer Ingelheim, an initiative supported by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), for a campaign called Detect the SOS.
Their “Mission: SOS” commercial, which will premiere on February 8 during the Super Bowl, is a call to action for people with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes to get their uACR screening. This urine test is the key to discovering the early stages of kidney damage and it is a sign of greater risk of life-threatening events such as a heart attack or stroke.
Spencer and Vergara Highlight Early Detection in Health Campaign
Charles “Chuck” Henderson, CEO of the American Diabetes Association, shared his excitement about the collaboration. “Raising awareness and encouraging uACR and eGFR tests as a routine for everyone will increase early detection and timely intervention for all patients, especially those with diabetes,” explained the CEO of the American Diabetes Association, Charles “Chuck” Henderson.
Octavia Spencer pointed out that, although the phrase “kidney failure” may be frightening, testing for it is very simple. “If your kidneys are not functioning properly, your body could be putting out an SOS and you should definitely answer it,” she explained to People. “And that is how it is frightening, but the test to detect it is very simple.”
Sofía Vergara brought a bit of humor into the serious issue. “We have a mission! We are going to save the world today,” she laughed. “No, seriously, it is great that we are uniting to convey this powerful public health message that will, hopefully, be enjoyed and understood by millions of people.”
Vergara indicated that her motivation for supporting the cause goes beyond just public concern. “I don’t suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure. Nevertheless, my mother has been very difficult with high blood pressure for a long time,” she revealed.
Octavia Spencer and Sofia Vergara Joke About a Mutual Support Between Mother & Daughter
Sofía Vergara told that her mother has grown older and her health care has become so confusing that she has had to take more of a role in managing her mother’s medicines and tests. At first, she had some difficulty doing it but Vergara is thankful for her “really wild” love of science and medicine that has helped her get up to date with the topic.
“I have to yell at her, call her, harass her, make my sister call her. It’s a nightmare,” she said laughing. “You know how moms get when they get older. It’s a struggle.”
Octavia Spencer teasingly said being the one that Sofia took care of her has now the same way of her mother doing that to her. “She’s doing that for me too!” Spencer joked that the Modern Family star is making sure she stays on top of her own health stuff.
Octavia Spencer Gives Insight Into Her Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension, Encourages uACR Test
Octavia Spencer made it known that she is currently living with type 2 diabetes and hypertension simultaneously. She added that with increasing age, it has become more difficult to cope with both conditions.
“straight up, I am trying. But the older I get, properly managing the conditions is like a game of whack-a-mole,”
she acknowledged. Spencer additionally revealed that she was unaware that the two diseases kept her vulnerable to kidney failure.
During health campaign collaboration with Sofía Vergara, the actress stated that the experience had motivated her to go for a uACR test—a urine test that can assist in the identification of early stages of kidney damage.
“I actually got tested and was terrified because I’m a little anxious.” .“However, would you believe how happy I was to just walk into the doctor and ask? It was effortless. My doctor told me that my numbers were within the normal range and that made me feel good because awareness is power and we want to give people power.”
Octavia Spencer and Sofía Vergara Discuss Aging and Choosing to Focus on Health
Octavia Spencer and Sofía Vergara revealed that their experiences with personal health have made them rethink their attitudes towards getting old and taking care of oneself.
“Getting older is terrible,” said Vergara jokingly. “I feel like I’m breaking down. I’m 53.” Then Spencer teasingly said, “Just wait and see when you turn 55, honey!”
Giving the matter a serious touch, Spencer stressed that “health is wealth” and reminded that one of the biggest changes she has done is that she has become more proactive now than in her younger days. “Once I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it became necessary for me to always be aware of my numbers,” she shared. Also, she monitors her kidney health, blood pressure, and A1C, even though she made a joke about not wanting to see the number on the scale.
Vergara also stated that although it may be hard at times, she is thankful for the abundance of information that is accessible today. “You can totally be your own health educator, and then you’re able to see the whole picture of your health. That’s pretty much exciting,” she explained.
