Octavia Spencer and Sofía Vergara Join Forces for New Health Campaign: A Shared Mission for Wellness

Octavia Spencer and Sofía Vergara.
Credit: Detect the SOS Collective

Key Points

• Octavia Spencer reveals her diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and management of high blood pressure.
• Sofía Vergara has been assisting her mother in managing high blood pressure for years.
• The actresses are collaborating to raise awareness about a crucial screening that can help individuals detect early signs of kidney damage.

Sofía Vergara and Octavia Spencer are on a mission to promote health awareness.

In an exclusive interview, the actresses discussed their collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, supported by organizations like the American Diabetes Association (ADA), for the public health campaign “Detect the SOS.”

Their advertisement, airing during the Super Bowl on February 8, encourages Americans living with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes to prioritize uACR screening. This urine test can reveal early signs of kidney damage, signaling a heightened risk for serious health issues like heart attacks or strokes.

“Your body could be sending out an SOS if your kidneys are malfunctioning, and you want to answer the call,” Spencer stated. “While that sounds scary, the detection process is easy.”

Vergara humorously added, “We have a mission! We’re gonna save the world! But more importantly, we’re coming together in this empowering public health message that hopefully reaches millions in a fun, understandable way.”

Vergara, while not personally diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure, shared the challenges of helping her mother manage her health. “It’s been very hard,” she admitted. “As my mother aged, I had to help manage her medications and routine testing, which was initially overwhelming.”

She further described the difficulties in managing her mother’s health: “I have to scream at her, call her, harass her… It’s a struggle,” she said with a laugh. “You know how moms can be.” Spencer chimed in, noting that Vergara ensures she stays on top of her health as well.

Sofía Vergara.
Credit: Detect the SOS Collective

Spencer disclosed that she has been managing both type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, revealing that the struggle often feels like a game of “whack-a-mole.” “I didn’t even know I was at risk for kidney disease until recently,” she confessed.

Teaming up with Vergara for the campaign encouraged Spencer to undergo the uACR screening. “I was terrified to get tested because I’m a bit neurotic,” she admitted. “But it was a relief to talk to my doctor; my numbers were normal. Knowledge is power, and we want to empower others.”

Octavia Spencer.
Credit: Detect the SOS Collective

Both actresses express that their health journeys have transformed their perspectives. “Aging is tough,” Vergara joked. “I feel like I’m falling apart at 53.”

Spencer teased back, “Just wait until you hit 55!”

“I’ll make jokes about it, but health is wealth,” the actress asserted. “I’m more conscious now than ever about maintaining my health.”

Spencer, now aware of her diabetes, stated, “I need to stay informed about my kidney health, blood pressure, and A1C numbers. The scale numbers? Well, I don’t really want to know those,” she added with a laugh.

Vergara chimed in, “It’s challenging, but we must be grateful. There’s so much information available now; it’s exciting to educate ourselves and gain a comprehensive understanding of our health.”