World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14th. The WWD campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. It engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. WWD was created in 1991 in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. WDD became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/255.
The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight. This year begins the first of a five-year campaign that will address the growing need for diabetes education and prevention programs.
WDD is celebrated on November 14, to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.
Diabetes Education and Prevention is the World Diabetes Day theme for the period 2009-2013. The campaign slogan for 2009 is “Understand Diabetes and Take Control”. The disease imposes life-long demands on the millions people now living with diabetes and their families. People with diabetes must deliver 95% of their own care, so it is of paramount importance that they receive ongoing, high-quality diabetes education that is tailored to their needs and delivered by skilled health professionals. The key messages for everyone are:
- Know the diabetes risks and know the warning signs
- Know how to respond to diabetes and who to turn to
- Know how to manage diabetes and take control
WWD is celebrated worldwide by the over 200 member associations of the International Diabetes Federation in more than 160 countries, all Member States of the United Nations, as well as by other associations and organizations, companies, healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes and their families.
The WDD logo is the blue circle – the global symbol for diabetes which was developed as part of the Unite for Diabetes awareness campaign. The logo was adopted in 2007 to mark the passage of the United Nations World Diabetes Day Resolution. The significance of the blue circle symbol is overwhelmingly positive. Across cultures, the circle symbolizes life and health. The color blue reflects the sky that unites all nations and is the color of the United Nations flag. The blue circle signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes pandemic.
To commemorate WDD iconic buildings and sites throughout the world will be light in the color of the blue circle symbol for diabetes – the central component of the campaign logo. The landmark illuminations are testimony to the power of our combined efforts to alter the diabetes landscape. They also provide, of course, a strong visual element to attract attention to the diabetes cause. Last year 1107 monuments and buildings were light in blue around the world.
Every year diabetes organizations and individuals worldwide develop a wide range of activities to increase diabetes awareness. In San Francisco, the Ferry Building will be illuminated in blue on the evening of November 14 and a meet up begins at 5:00 pm just across from the building.
Other ideas for ways you can involved and get others involved is by forming your own event. Some ideas to consider include illuminating your home in blue, light a blue candle, dress up in blue for the day, organize a dress-up-in-blue day for diabetes at your workplace, diabetes walks and rides, press conferences, in-school activities, sports activities, Frisbee events, workshops and exhibitions.
What are you doing on World Diabetes Day? Share your plans and give suggestions for raising awareness. Whatever your idea, be sure to register your activity on the World Diabetes Day website so that you can share it with the world. Register here. http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/