For decades, Damon Wayans Sr. has kept audiences laughing. From his iconic days on In Living Color to starring in beloved sitcoms, the comedic legend is known for his sharp wit and massive energy. But behind the scenes, the actor faced a very serious reality check when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at the age of 47.
Now 65, the actor is partnering with Genentech and Diatribe to launch the ‘All Eyes on DME’ campaign, using his platform to share his personal health journey and help his community.
Diabetes is often referred to as a “silent killer,” and for Wayans, the diagnosis came in the form of a near-fatal health scare. He was on the verge of a diabetic coma when he finally sought medical attention.
“When I got diagnosed with diabetes, I needed triage,” Wayans shared in a recent interview with PEOPLE. “I needed to take insulin. I had to change my diet and get into exercise because my sugar was at 535, which is not sustainable. Just knowing that then set me on a path to learning more about what I can do to control it and the things that I can’t do and need to let a doctor do.”
A major part of his new campaign is focused on reaching out to communities of color to “eliminate some fears” surrounding the medical system. Wayans pointed out that there is often a lingering hesitation to visit doctors, leading many to seek out temporary, do-it-yourself fixes instead of proper care.
“We have a lot of fears where I come from, with hospitals and doctors and taking care of your health,” Wayans explained. “We tend to like to do things ourselves, so someone would go get some eyeglasses from the drugstore… and they think that that’s enough, and it’s not.” He stressed that while store-bought glasses might offer a quick fix, it is far more important to “know what’s going on inside of you.”
Through the ‘All Eyes on DME’ campaign, Wayans is specifically raising awareness about Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), a serious eye condition for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes that can lead to permanent vision loss.
“I found out it affects Black and brown people two to three times more for vision loss, which is terrible. It’s something that is not really discussed in those communities,” he noted. “It’s nice to be able to maybe have a voice and lend it to something that’s important… Especially if there’s treatments that can actually help you to alleviate and keep your vision long-term.”
His primary message to the community is simple but crucial: go to the doctor. By getting routine check-ups and facing the facts, you give yourself the power to pivot and protect your health.
“There’s no crime in knowing,” Wayans urged those who might be apprehensive about seeking medical help. “Once you know, then you can go about and try and do it your way.”
Ultimately, Wayans still relies on his signature humor to navigate the ups and downs of managing his condition.
“I think if you can laugh, it’s not that bad,” he said. “That is the beautiful thing about this country, is that we laugh at ourselves, and once we laugh at ourselves, then we can start going, ‘Maybe I should just go see a doctor.’ It doesn’t hurt to know, but it can hurt not to know. It can be life-threatening.”
