Health

November 14 is World Diabetes Day: Global Events Roundup

by Terri Potratz | November 13, 2008 at 09:54 am

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Since 1991, November 14 has marked World Diabetes Day and there are numerous events taking place around the globe to raise awareness and revitalize the cause to find a cure for this debilitating disease. The theme for 2007 and 2008 is Diabetes in Children and Adolescents, so this subject will be a key awareness issue this year.

Simple things you can do to take part in World Diabetes Day include:

Wear blue, the official colour of the International Diabetes Federation and World Diabetes Day.
Light a beacon of hope. This could be a candle in your window, a virtual candle on your website, or a city monument illuminated.
Take part in the global diabetes walk, which so far has over 240,000 registered participants in 69 countries. Or, simply take a walk with friends or coworkers on your lunch hour if you aren't registered.
Visit a diabetes expo, screening center or information session near you.

If you see city landmarks all lit up in blue tomorrow, you'll know that is in celebration of World Diabetes Day and part of the WDD Monument Challenge. In 2007, 279 iconic monuments were lit as beacons of hope and this year the goal is to have 500 monuments around the world illuminated in blue. Find a monumental beacon of hope near you.

You may also see groups of people flinging about blue frisbee discs on World Diabetes Day:

The flying circle is a Frisbee in the shape of the blue diabetes circle – the global symbol for diabetes that has been adopted as the World Diabetes Day logo.

The Flying Diabetes Circle encourages people to Unite for Diabetes and support World Diabetes Day. We have produced 10,000 Frisbees to support this year’s World Diabetes Day campaign and raise funds to support children with diabetes in the developing world.

Many countries, such as Canada, have marked the entire month of November as a time for diabetes awareness, complete with suggestions and challenges designed to inspire citizens to re-think their lifestyle choices and become educated about this world-wide epidemic.

The Canadian Diabetes Association is issuing several challenges to everyone.

1) Eat less fast food for the month of November and try experimenting with different cooking methods and new recipes.
2) Talk to your boss about adding healthy options to food services at work.
3) Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
4) Plan family get-togethers around big activities instead of big meals.
5) On WDD throw around a blue Frisbee with friends, dress in blue, have a hoola-hoop contest, or string up blue lights around your house.
6) Increase your own knowledge about diabetes and share with others.