20 days to World Diabetes Day!

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A campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation

Activity spotlight: France, Guatemala, Mexico and USA

Just 20 days to go to the world's biggest day of diabetes awareness! Here are some more highlights of planned awareness activities this November.

In Paris, France, DIDi et Diabeline, an association for children with type 1 diabetes, is partnering with the Hilton Hotel at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport to organise an afternoon of activities for children and adolescents on 14 November. The programme will include music, a martial arts demonstration, magic, a tasting of sugar free chocolates and sweets and cooking lessons. Donations will be collected to raise funds for research into type 1 diabetes and a flashmob will be performed with all participants wearing blue.
In Guatemala, health professionals in San Juan and San Pablo La Laguna are partnering with people with diabetes from the Tzutujil community for a diabetes awareness event and prevention health fair in villages located in the western highlands of the country. The event will kick-off with a parade during which participants will hold signs with information about the disease, and tips for prevention. This will be followed by a 5k race. The health fair will feature blood glucose and blood pressure checks, BMI calculations, nutritional education, and exercise classes for everyone. During the day’s event the “Two Tortillas” initiative will be presented, which encourages people to celebrate corn, a staple of the Guatemalan diet, while still minimizing their intake of carbohydrates.
In Mexico City, Mexico, World Diabetes Day Champion Fundación Chespirito will be holding their annual 'Danos Una Mano' (Give us a Hand) on 14 November. During the event, they will be awarding grants of 200,000 pesos to two programmes that focus on diabetes care and prevention and research into diabetes and obesity in children. The Foundation aims to support initiatives , which bring these issues into the public spotlight and encourage decision-makers and civil society to become active partners.
In San Francisco, USA, Dance Out Diabetes, a local non-profit organisation, working to prevent and manage diabetes through dance and education will be holding a Dance-a-thon fundraiser on Saturday, November 10 at the African American Art & Culture Complex. The aim is to raise funds to continue to provide monthly programmes that offer participants free health check-ups, the opportunity to learn a new dance, and access certified diabetes educators. The Dance-a-thon will feature a mini Zumba routine, lots of free-style dancing, health screenings, an art show and more.

Visit our online events calendar to get a glimpse of more activities that will be taking place around the globe this November. Please continue to submit your event information, either online or by email to wdd@idf.org.

India gears up for Diabetes Blue Fortnight

India is the focus of the International Diabetes Federation's awareness activities this November. The showcase event will be Diabetes Blue Fortnight, the country's largest awareness campaign, engaging the general public in an effort to curb the rising incidence of diabetes in India and improve the lives of people with diabetes. The campaign will bring together the government, medical fraternity, associations and organisations working around diabetes, media, corporate organisations and the general public on a single platform to facilitate exchange and growth of knowledge. The event hopes to highlight solidarity towards the cause of reducing the diabetes burden in India. Activities include:

Doctors 4 Diabetes Care, an opportunity for doctors and medical professionals to pledge their commitment to spread diabetes awareness, inform people about preventive and management measures and encourage family members of people with diabetes to go for regular and frequent screening.
A Diabetes Screening Drive in several cities across India at hospitals and clinics, government and corporate offices, community centres and other venues, to promote the importance of early detection and treatment of diabetes.
The lighting in blue of landmark Indian monuments like the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, Old Fort; Qutub Minar and Humayun Tomb in Delhi; Sidhuvunayak Temple in Mumbai; Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata and Shaniwada Fort in Pune.

More about the campaign.

A reminder of how you can mark the day

Many of you know exactly how you will be celebrating World Diabetes Day on 14 November but for those that are still uncertain or undecided on what to do, here's a reminder of how you can support our campaign:

Wear blue throughout November and ask your friends, family and colleagues to join you.
Form a human blue circle, a simple activity with a great visual impact that can be organised as an individual activity or as part of a bigger event.
Organise a physical activity - walk, cycle ride, hula-hoop or dance. Get people moving in your family or community.
Promote the campaign on your website, blog, Facebook or Twitter page by featuring information and links from the World Diabetes Day website.
Identify local heroes that are active in promoting the diabetes cause and healthy lifestyles. These heroes will provide inspiration and a positive role models for people with diabetes around the world.

Visit our World Diabetes Day image gallery on Flickr to see awareness in action!

IDF's newest blue circle champion follows his dreams

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Never stop dreaming." These are the words of IDF's newest Blue Circle Champion, Josu Feijoo, a Spanish mountain climber and the first astronaut in-training with diabetes.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 18 years ago, Josu has proved that a person with diabetes can overcome any challenge by taking control of their condition. He is the first person with diabetes to have reached the North and South Poles and climbed Mount Everest. Recently Josu has been selected to be one of the astronauts on board Virgin Galactic's VSS Enterprise, leading him closer to his dream of becoming the first person with diabetes in space. He will be the first person with a chronic condition to go into space, allowing for several experiments related to blood sugar control before, during and after the launch of the vessel.

IDF Blue Circle Champions are high profile individuals who have been touched by diabetes in one way or another. Read more about all our champions.

Campaign roundup

Pin a Personality campaign: more and more high-profile individuals around the world can't escape being pinned with the blue circle! Check out our gallery and continue to send us your pictures.
Blue Monument Challenge: more countries, more lightings, more blue! Check out our updated Blue Monument Lighting list and continue to submit your confirmations online or by email to wdd@idf.org.
Flash mob for diabetes: move to the diabetes beat this November by joining our Flash Mob Challenge!
Materials and merchandise: it's still not too late to get what you need to celebrate World Diabetes Day. Place your orders before November 1 to ensure that you get our merchandise in time for the 14th.
Doodle for Banting: thanks to your support we were able to submit 4,500 signatures to Google urging them to create a Doodle in honour of Sir Frederick Banting on 14 November. We look forward to sending you an update as soon as there is news to report.