Ascensia BREEZE(reg): the blood glucose meter with a difference

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 14 Jul 2004 - 0:00 PDT


There are plenty of blood glucose meters available on the market, but for a long time, none of them were really just what the doctor ordered for Heinrich Schinke, 60, long-standing chairman of the Cologne branch of the German Diabetes Association and himself a diabetic. Too small, too much technology, too complicated, in his view. Nonetheless, regular monitoring of his blood glucose level several times a day is a vital part of his life: as an insulin-dependent diabetic, he has to make sure that his blood glucose level is always in the normal range.

One device that is completely to Heinrich Schinke's satisfaction is the new Ascensia BREEZE(reg) blood glucose meter from Bayer HealthCare: "At last, a meter that is tailored to my needs." This meter is a conscious departure from the trend towards "increasingly tiny machines with more and more technical bells and whistles."

It is intended for diabetics who are looking for a simple, uncomplicated device that is convenient to use and unburdened with superfluous technical features. Ascensia BREEZE(reg) can store up to 100 measurement values. The disc with ten sensors allows users to measure their blood glucose levels ten times without reloading, and the device is coded automatically on insertion of the Ascensia AUTODISC(reg). Thanks to these properties, the meter is just right for people like Heinrich Schinke. As a "professional diabetic", he knows exactly what he wants: "I need something a bit more solid, and it has to be simple to use."

Heinrich Schinke has suffered from diabetes since 1967, when what appeared to be a harmless bout of the flu ended with a diagnosis of diabetes. Schinke, a technician by trade, refused to give in; instead, he adapted to the new situation. In this he was certainly helped by his stoical nature: "che sera, sera," aptly sums up his philosophy. He has always been prepared to try out new things, and as such was one of the first insulin pump users in Germany.

His many years of voluntary service for the Red Cross, which Schinke joined at the age of 18, were instrumental in the development of his character and when he himself contracted diabetes, there was no question that he would devote himself to helping his fellow-sufferers. He founded several self-help groups in the Cologne region, for insulin pump users among others. His main concern was always to use his experience to help other people with diabetes come to terms with the problems of daily life.

Heinrich Schinke himself has not radically changed his lifestyle since he received the diagnosis 37 years ago. Diabetes is part of his life, of course, but it is not the defining feature. Traveling, for example with his camper, is still one of the main highlights of his life. He recently returned from a tour of Germany's many castles.

One hobby that Heinrich Schinke enjoys every day, not just on the weekends, is cooking. After all, at the Red Cross, he gathered plenty of experience as head of a mobile field kitchen in a catastrophe response unit. He has since taken on the daily task of cooking for his family. His family has always been the center of his life, but all the more so now that he has two grand-daughters to keep him busy.

That's why Heinrich Schinke is pleased that, "I can get along with the Ascensia BREEZE(reg) blood glucose meter so well. Every diabetic should take a look around to find out which device suits best. After all, there's a large variety of meters available on the market and, as the saying has it, 'If you don't look, you won't find.'"

Bayer HealthCare AG, a subgroup of Bayer AG with sales of approximately 8.9 billion Euro in 2003, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry.

The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health, Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diagnostics Professional Testing Systems and Diagnostics Self Testing Systems and Pharmaceuticals. 34,600 people are employed by Bayer HealthCare worldwide.

Our aim is to discover and manufacture innovative products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Our products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating disease.

http://www.press.bayer.com/News

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