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WDD walk in NYC following in Mahatma Gandhi’s footsteps
Posted: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:40:59 +0000
On October 2, the Arise India Foundation is organising a unique public health initiative where New Yorkers will follow in the footsteps of the renowned Indian peace icon Mahatma Gandhi.The Mahatma Gandhi Health and Peace Walk aims to inspire people to follow his example and walk everyday to enhance their wellness, reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
While Mahatma Gandhi is universally admired for his belief and practice of non-violence, few know that Mahatma Gandhi had a habit of walking to maintain his health. For example, his autobiography - My experiments with truth - records his liking for long walks as a student and how, while studying law in London, he had rented a room at a location from where he could walk to his office and get his daily exercise.
Bearing the slogan "In His Footsteps, For Your Health," the walk will take place in New York City’s Marcus Garvey park between 11am and 12 noon on Saturday, October 2. Further information.
IDF video explaining why World Diabetes Day supports the Mahatma Gandhi Health and Peace Walk:
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Powerful new World Diabetes Day video launched
Posted: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:18:25 +0000
A brand new World Diabetes Day (WDD) campaign video has been produced by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) to raise awareness of the importance of diabetes education and prevention.
"Diabetes can cost you a leg" is a 23-second silent short carrying a powerful message: lack of management of diabetes may cause amputation.
The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKjPanA2g2w and is available in English, French, Spanish and Chinese.
The short also alludes to the soon-to-be-launched IDF Blue Circle test, an online tool that will help people better understand the risk factors of diabetes.
Several other videos with World Diabetes Day messages can be found on the WDD YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/WorldDiabetesDay
Your feedback is important to us! So please leave your comments and help us to raise awareness of diabetes prevention by sharing the video with your contacts.
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Three months to go to World Diabetes Day!
Posted: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:15:54 +0000
Activity roundup
With 14 November three months out, the WDD campaign team is receiving more and more news of activities that will be organised around the world to mark the day. Here's a snapshot of what's come in:
- The Diabetes Hand Foundation, a World Diabetes Day champion, will once again be calling on people with diabetes around the world to take 'The Big Blue Test'. At 14:00 on 14 November, people with diabetes will be encouraged to test their blood glucose, do 14 minutes of exercise, test again and share their results on www.bigbluetest.org. The initiative ties in nicely with the WDD 2010 focus on promoting the benefits of physical activity for the management and prevention of diabetes.
- In New York, the Arise India Foundation will be organising a unique public health initiative on 2 October 2010. The Mahatma Gandhi Health and Peace Walk aims to inspire people to follow Mahatma Gandhi's example and walk everyday so that they can enhance their wellness, reduce their risk of diabetes, heart disease and obesity. The slogan for the Walk is "In His Footsteps—For Your Health." Find out more at www.arisefoundation.org.
- In Austria, the Austrian Diabetes Association will be holding the 5th Nordic City Walk in Vienna on 17 October. The event targets people with diabetes, doctors, diabetes nurses, and the general public. Qualified trainers from the Austrian Nordic Walking Association will be on-hand to provide free lessons for beginners and experienced walkers.
- Plans are underway in China and India, involving local diabetes associations and the Ministries of Health, to make World Diabetes Day celebrations in the two countries the biggest ever. More about this in the next newsletter.
Visit our online events calendar - http://bit.ly/auRnje - to see all the activities currently listed, and don't forget to submit information about your activity once it is confirmed.
Follow the campaign on Twitter
As part of the WDD Twitter campaign, we've started tweeting facts about diabetes and World Diabetes Day in the 14 weeks leading up 14 November. Each day, a new fact will be added to our page at www.twitter.com/wdd. Help promote the campaign by re-tweeting the facts to your followers.
You can also help raise awareness of diabetes and World Diabetes Day on Twitter by:
- Including the blue circle, the World Diabetes Day logo, in your photo profile. You can download your blue circle avatar image from http://twibbon.com/join/Diabetes-3.
- Asking your friends to support World Diabetes Day on November 14 by including the WDD logo in their Twitter photo profile.
- Sharing your WDD plans with the diabetes community by tweeting with the tag#wdd10.
New WDD merchandise
Two new items have been added to the list of official World Diabetes Day merchandise (pin, candle, Frisbee, large flag, and glow bracelets) that you can purchase to support the campaign. Small (30x46cm) flags with the WDD logo, ideal for use at public awareness events, and 'Unite for Diabetes' stickers are now available from the International Diabetes Federation's online shop – http://shop.idf.org. IDF member associations receive merchandise at discounted prices. For more information, contact wdd@idf.org.
Coming soon: WDD blue measuring tapes.
Campaign news
Logo: The World Diabetes Day logo is currently available for download in 67 languages. See the full list.
If you don't see your language in the list, send the translation of the lines below to wdd@idf.org and we'll create the logo for you:
- International Diabetes Federation
- World Diabetes Day
- 14 November
Posters: the 2010 campaign posters are currently available to download in seven languages. Send your translation of the poster texts to wdd@idf.org and we'll produce them in the language of your choice.
Campaign book 'Get Inspired!': your guide to how you can mark World Diabetes Day. Available in English, French and Spanish.
WDD on YouTube: visit our new and improved WDD YouTube Channel – http://www.youtube.com/worlddiabetesday – and watch the campaign launch video and more. Over 15,000 views so far.
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World Diabetes Day, four months to go
Posted: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:38:45 +0000
Campaign roundup
Get inspired with the WDD Campaign Book
With World Diabetes Day four months away, many of you will have started planning your events for the day. Not sure what to organise? Find some inspiration in the WDD campaign book, the user-friendly reference guide that we've compiled to inspire and engage, and facilitate a unified global campaign across all regions and countries. Now is the time to consult the guide to help you with the planning, promotion and execution of your WDD activity. View it online. Print copies of the guide will be available shortly on request from wdd@idf.org.
Posters
The 2010 campaign posters are available in English, French, and Spanish. Download them or request print copies from wdd@idf.org. We welcome translations of the posters into multiple languages. If you can translate the posters into your own language, contact lorenzo.piemonte@idf.org to request the source files.
Merchandise
Promote World Diabetes Day by purchasing one or more of the promotional items that we've produced for the campaign. Items currently available include blue circle pins, candles, Frisbees, flags and glow bracelets. Visit the IDF online shop to order. Further items (Unite for Diabetes stickers, blue measuring tapes) will be available shortly.
Monument Challenge
We continue to receive confirmations of blue lightings for World Diabetes Day. Countries that will be bringing diabetes to light include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Kuwait, Mexico, South Africa, Spain and the United Kingdom. Find out how you can participate. If you secure a lighting, please let us know by sending the name of the confirmed monument or building to lorenzo.piemonte@idf.org. Don't forget that this year we're encouraging everyone to associate the lightings with a physical activity to convey a positive and empowering message.
Support the campaign
Do you have an interesting idea that will grab public and media attention? Do you want to change the way that people think about diabetes? Are you lobbying your local or national government to improve diabetes care and prevention? Are you helping to implement change that will improve care for people with and at risk of diabetes?
If you're active in bringing diabetes to light in your area and plan to do so on 14 November, please share your information with the World Diabetes Day team - wdd@idf.org. We will promote your activity through our website - www.worlddiabetesday.org - and use it to inspire others.
Examples of World Diabetes Day 'Champions' include the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Diabetes Hands Foundation, Diabetes Daily, Desert Dingo Racing, and the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation.
Get inspired with this WDD video message from IDF President Jean Claude Mbanya.
Promote the blue circle
High-profile athletes with diabetes such as five-time Olympic gold medal-winning rower Sir Steven Redgrave, US Olympic cross-country skier Kris Freeman, former Dutch Olympic gold-medal winning volleyball player Bas van de Goor and US professional snowboarder Sean Busby have pledged their support for World Diabetes Day and agreed to wear the blue circle pin – the global symbol of diabetes - to promote diabetes awareness.
We've also received word from our member associations in China and other countries that local newsreaders will be wearing the pin on air on 14 November. If you get a local celebrity or prominent figure to wear the pin in your area, let us know at wdd@idf.org.
Global activities
Every year World Diabetes Day unites the global diabetes community to produce a powerful voice for diabetes awareness. We've already received news of major awareness-raising events that will be organized to mark the day in Canada, China, Ghana, Grenada, Mexico and the United States.
In Mexico, the Federación Mexicana de Diabetes (FMD) is planning an extensive programme for November 14. A special lottery ticket displaying the WDD logo will be issued to mark World Diabetes Day, and the draw will take place on November 9. A seminar will also be organized for national health journalists on the topic of diabetes and its complications. Local affiliates of the FMD are planning walks and public information sessions, and the FMD expects to exceed the number of monuments and buildings that lit in blue in 2009.
Visit our online events calendar to see all the activities currently listed, and don't forget to submit information about your activity once it is confirmed. Events will also be profiled in this newsletter.
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Five months to go to World Diabetes Day!
Posted: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:02:23 +0000
Campaign posters now available
For the second year of the 2009-2013 campaign on diabetes education and prevention, we have designed new posters to illustrate the slogan - Let's take control of diabetes. Now. - and the key messages of the campaign. Each poster is intended to address a specific target group: people with diabetes, people at risk of type 2 diabetes, healthcare professionals, decision-makers, and parents.
- View a short video introducing the new visuals.
Five posters have been produced. They can be downloaded in low and high resolution. Print copies can be requested from wdd@idf.org. Let us know what you think about them through Facebook or wdd@idf.org.
The posters are currently available in English, French and Spanish. More languages will be added as they become available. If you would like to produce a modified version, for example a translation, please contact wdd@idf.org to request the source files. Let us know how you will modify the poster and how it will be used.
WDD handbook - Get inspired!
Looking for some inspiration on how to mark World Diabetes Day in your area? Interested in arranging a blue lighting but don't know how? We have produced a practical handbook that includes all the information you need to know to celebrate the day. The reference guide provides core materials and step-by-step recommendations to help with the planning, execution and promotion of WDD events. Each activity includes a description, a checklist, some suggestions on how to promote your event locally, how IDF can help promote your activity, what WDD materials are available to help you organize your event and how you can share your success with others. We hope that a coordinated approach will facilitate a unified global campaign across all regions.
- Download the individual sections of the handbook
- Visit our Virtual Museum to see pictures of how the global diabetes community has celebrated World Diabetes Day in recent years.
If you already have an activity planned, don't forget to register it in our World Diabetes Day events calendar. We will use this newsletter to share ideas from around the world, so please share your plans with us and we will pass them on to the global diabetes community.
Monument challenge - first lightings confirmed
We've received the first confirmations of monuments and buildings that will be lighting in blue for World Diabetes Day 2010. See the current list.
As we informed you in our last newsletter, this year we want to strengthen the link between the lightings and diabetes by encouraging the global diabetes community to use the blue lightings as the venue for all World Diabetes Day-related grassroots activities and events. One way of doing this which we recommend is to link the blue lighting to a physical activity, such as walking, an aerobics workout, or dancing, to encourage people with diabetes, those at risk, and the general public to take control of diabetes and their health, and convey a positive and empowering message.
- View a short video about the Blue Monument Challenge.
- Download our lighting guide for information on how to arrange and promote a lighting.
If you've secured a lighting, please let us know by sending the name of the confirmed monument or building to lorenzo.piemonte@idf.org.
Follow the campaign
There are several ways to keep up-to-date on all that's happening for World Diabetes Day:
- Visit www.worlddiabetesday.org for all the latest news, materials, and activities related to the campaign.
- Find news and updates on Twitter, and share your World Diabetes Day-related tweets by marking them with the tag #wdd10.
- Follow the campaign on Facebook
- Sign up to our newsletter at www.worlddiabetesday.org, and share it with your friends and colleagues.
- Visit our YouTube Channel
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TuDiabetes launches "TuAnalyze"
Posted: Wed, 26 May 2010 15:15:32 +0000
TuDiabetes, a social network for people touched by diabetes and a World Diabetes Day champion, has partnered with Children's Hospital Boston to launch "TuAnalyze", a highly secure application located on the TuDiabetes.org website that lets members submit and share their hemoglobin A1C with others.
The information submitted in this massive data donation drive will be displayed on a map on the TuDiabetes network with states "lighting up" according to aggregate A1C data. Through TuAnalyze, all of us who have to live mindful of our A1C value will be able to see our community connect in a new way. Through sharing this metric, people with diabetes can work individually and collectively toward their health goals, and help academic research.
Links:
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World Hypertension Day - May 17
Posted: Mon, 17 May 2010 08:11:57 +0000
May 17 is World Hypertension Day, initiated by the World Hypertension League and supported by the International Diabetes Federation. The day was established to highlight the preventable stroke, heart and kidney diseases caused by high blood pressure and to communicate to the public information on prevention, detection and treatment. This year the slogan for the day is 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Blood Pressure". Find out more at www.worldhypertensionleague.org. -
Six months to go to World Diabetes Day!
Posted: Thu, 13 May 2010 14:14:44 +0000
Let's take control of diabetes. Now.
2010 marks the second year of the five-year focus on 'Diabetes education and prevention", the theme selected by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization for World Diabetes Day 2009-2013.
The campaign slogan for this year is: "Let's take control of diabetes. Now."
For the general public and people at high risk of diabetes, the focus will be on raising awareness of diabetes and disseminating tools for the prevention of diabetes. For people with diabetes, the focus will be on disseminating tools to improve knowledge of diabetes in order to better understand the condition and prevent complications. For governments and policy-makers, efforts will focus on advocacy aimed at communicating the cost-effective implications of diabetes prevention strategies and promoting diabetes education as a core component of diabetes management and treatment.
The key messages of the campaign, developed for our different target groups, are:
- Are you at risk? Take the blue circle test.
- Know the signs and symptoms of diabetes. Early diagnosis saves lives.
- Diabetes prevention and treatment are simple and cost-effective. Put them on top of the agenda.
- Your child could be affected. Know the warning signs. See your doctor to measure the risk.
- Enjoy an active life and prevent complications.
A special video, shot in the IDF Executive Office in Brussels, has been produced explaining the 2010 campaign. View the video.
2009: a global success story
Thanks to the efforts of IDF member associations and the wider global diabetes community, the first year of our five-year campaign on 'Diabetes education and prevention' was a resounding success. People all over the world were mobilized and engaged around our messages aimed at communicating the importance of knowing the warning signs and risk factors of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and knowing how to take control and reduce their risk. Achievements included:
- 1650 events and activities, including blue lightings, human blue circles, walks, and screenings, in over 115 countries, registered on www.worlddiabetesday.org.
- 1800 campaign-related pictures submitted to www.worlddiabetesday.org and the WDD virtual museum.
- 225,000 virtual candles lit.
- 3 million visits to and 1 million page views on www.worlddiabetesday.org.
- World Diabetes Day logo and campaign posters translated and made available in 65 and 16 languages respectively.
The pictures received told the global story of a remarkable shared experience. We are very grateful to all those who contributed to the success of the day, and look forward to building upon the achievements in 2010.
2010 Campaign news
Blue circle online and offline test
This year we're adding an exciting, new dimension to the World Diabetes Day campaign. We'll be launching a new initiative that will allow people around the world to learn if they are at risk of type 2 diabetes, and start taking control of their lifestyle. The "Blue Circle Test" will consist of an online and offline component:
The online tool will showcase the risk factors of type 2 diabetes and display the positive actions that can be taken to reduce a person's risk. Users will be confronted with one or more fictitious characters at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The aim will be to reduce a character's risk by eliminating risk factors and adding positive actions. With each action, the user will be informed in an informal way on the hows and whys. The offline version will consist of a special blue World Diabetes Day measuring tape for use in World Diabetes Day grassroots activities all over the world. The tape will include information on the links between waist circumference and the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Blue monuments and exercise
Last year confirmed the popularity of the blue lighting of landmark buildings and sites as a key component of World Diabetes Day celebrations around the world. The initiative will continue this year, and we aim to strengthen the link between the lightings and diabetes by encouraging the global diabetes community to use the blue lightings as the venue for all World Diabetes Day-related grassroots activities and events. Particular focus will be placed on activities promoting physical activity, with the aim of stimulating participation, particularly of people with diabetes, and interactivity in order to convey a positive and empowering message.
If you have already managed to secure a lighting in your area, please send the name of the confirmed monument to lorenzo.piemonte@idf.org. In our next newsletter, we will begin the count with the list of building and sites confirmed so far.
Whatever the event you plan to organize for World Diabetes Day this year, please register your event on the World Diabetes Day website.
Tailored, adaptable materials
We have designed new visuals to illustrate the campaign slogan and key messages described above. There will be custom posters for people at risk of diabetes, health professionals, decision-makers, and people with diabetes. Our aim is for the material to be flexible and adaptable to fit different target groups and cultures.
A practical handbook will also be produced with all the information needed to mark World Diabetes Day in your area.
Official World Diabetes Day partners
World Diabetes Day is a multi-stakeholder partnership in which all partners contribute to ensure maximum exposure for the campaign and promotion of the political will that is required to improve diabetes care and prevention worldwide. The International Diabetes Federation is pleased to have the support of the following partners for World Diabetes Day 2010:
- Abbott
- AstraZeneca
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Boston Scientific
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- LifeScan
- Eli Lilly & Co.
- Medtronic
- Merck & Co.
- Novartis
- Novo Nordisk
- Pfizer
- Roche
- Sanofi-aventis
- Takeda
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Desert bikers to raise diabetes awareness at Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
Posted: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:34:59 +0000
Youcef Cummings, the Australian cross-country rally rider raising awareness of diabetes and World Diabetes Day, will be piloting the World Diabetes Day motorbike once again at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, starting 29 March. He will be joined in his unique and original awareness-raising effort by four other riders, who have joined together to tackle the region's notorious towering sand dunes and winding desert trails. The distinctive World Diabetes Day logo - the blue circle - will be clearly visible on their bikes and clothes."The challenging desert route is a fitting reminder of the daily challenges faced by the millions of people with diabetes around the world," said Youcef.
The World Diabetes Day motorcycle is a limited edition factory produced bike designed specifically for desert racing, with a 72 hp engine and a top speed of over 175 km/h on sand. It has a range of over 350 kms and is fitted with various navigation and survival equipment such as GPS, proximity warning devices, directional repeaters, 2 odometers, speedo, speed warning devices and other basic equipment. The motorcycle sports the official World Diabetes Day logo in English and Arabic, as well as the distinctive blue circle on the tanks.
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World Diabetes Day – 14 days later
Posted: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:54:37 +0000
Pictures tell global success story
More than 1500 pictures have been submitted through the campaign site this year – over three times more than last year. The pictures tell the global story of a remarkable shared experience.
Is your event featured among the pictures already available? Check out the visual record of World Diabetes Day 2009 (World Diabetes Day Virtual Museum) or Flickr campaign pool.
Did you dress up in blue, light your home, or participate in one of the many activities organized around the world? We want to see how you joined in. Put diabetes in the picture now by submitting your images or by adding your picture to the Flickr campaign pool.
Thank you for all the work you put in to making World Diabetes Day 2009 such a global success. Whatever you did, we hope things went well.
Please let us know if World Diabetes Day was featured on a radio station, TV station or in a newspaper in your area. If you have collected the articles in your local newspaper or magazine that feature World Diabetes Day or recorded your local TV or radio program, please e-mail a copy to media@idf.org or send a copy to:
Kerrita McClaughlyn
International Diabetes Federation (IDF)
166 Chaussée de la Hulpe
B-1170 Brussels
BelgiumThe results so far
Early indications suggest that World Diabetes Day 2009 was a great success. We will share the final results through the website once we have collected and analyzed all the information. Here's what we know so far:
- 1015 and counting - the number of buildings and monuments that brought diabetes to light this year.
- 603 and counting – the number of events registered this year.
- 113 and counting - the number of countries that recorded events this year.
- 1700 and counting - the number of pictures submitted to the campaign website.
- 225,000 - the number of times the virtual candle has been lit.
- 11,000,000 - the number of views of World Diabetes Day Web banners since January.
- 4500 – the number of sites that generated visitors to www.worlddiabetesday.org.
Uncountable – the debt of gratitude owed to the millions who took part.
Have your say, take our survey
Have you got 10 minutes to spare? Let us know how we can do better. Please take our World Diabetes Day survey now.
We aim to improve what we do and serve you better. Do you have an idea for what World Diabetes Day should do next? What changes would you like to see? Do you feel that things can be improved? Whatever you want to say, please share it with us.
We take your comments seriously. Your feedback informs what we do.
The World diabetes Day campaign continues...
World Diabetes Day doesn't end on November 14. The current campaign covers the five-year period up to 2013. The aims are to improve access to diabetes care and education, to increase global action to prevent diabetes and its complications, and encourage participation in diabetes advocacy worldwide. Please send us information on what you and your organization are doing to support these aims. We'll share your campaigns through our website.
You can interact with the World Diabetes Day team through our Facebook Group: World Diabetes Day 2009-2013. Please share your ideas for 2010.
UN Resolution 61/225 invites: "all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Diabetes Day in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness of diabetes and related complications, as well as its prevention and care, including through education and the mass media."
Please remind local and national authorities that they have 350 days to get ready for World Diabetes Day 2010. Download the World Diabetes Day Resolution.
Thank you everyone who took part in World Diabetes Day 2009. We look forward to working with you to make 2010 and even greater success.
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