Take a step for diabetes - Over 300 million steps!

The World Diabetes Day Take a Step for Diabetes campaign is nearing its target of 371 million steps - in support of the number of people living with diabetes worldwide - and all signs indicate that the total will be reached before the deadline of 2 December 2013, the start of the World Diabetes Congress in Melbourne, Australia.

Thanks to the efforts of close to 400 individuals, associations and groups, more than 308 million steps have been submitted on the platform, linked to activities ranging from a simple 30 minute run to public awareness activities engaging hundreds of people. Here are the top 10 individuals and groups that are taking a step for diabetes:

Currently in second place in the group category is N.A.DIA, an association based in Rio Cuarto, Argentina. The more than 63 million steps that they have submitted to date include participating in TV and radio programmes to raise awareness of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, collecting signatures and testimonies in support of changes to a national law in protection of people with diabetes, and promoting Blue Fridays among their members and supporters.

With the target within touching distance, IDF is preparing the open letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on behalf of the global diabetes community, reiterating the importance of keeping the global commitments on diabetes made during the 2011 United Nations High Level Meeting on NCDs high on the global health agenda. All registered participants on the Take a Step for Diabetes platform will be included as signataries to the letter, which will be showcased at the World Diabetes Congress in Melbourne.

Please continue to submit your steps at http://steps.worlddiabetesday.org and it's not too late to register an account and participate in the campaign.

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Pin a Personality update

Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx, Argentina and Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano, Mexican wrestler "El Tacubo", Chilean TV personality Carlos Zarate and Spanish athlete Luisa Larraga Cacho are among the latest personalities to show their support for the diabetes cause by wearing the blue circle pin. Close to 500 individuals from all over the world are now featured in our online Pin a Personality gallery.

Please continue to send in your pictures of pinned personalities to wdd@idf.org or post them on our Facebook page. You can participate in the campaign by requesting pins online. Send in your request before 1 October to ensure delivery of the pins in time for World Diabetes Day.

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Activity roundup

Taking place at the moment is the mHealth Grand Tour, a 13-day bicycle ride from Brussels, Belgium to Barcelona, Spain, supported by the International Diabetes Federation's Europe Region. Some 100 amateur and professional cyclists, including 20 riders with diabetes, are taking part to raise awareness of diabetes, physical activity and mobile health solutions. Learn more and follow their progress.

Congratulations to the 14 individuals (12 of which living with type 1 diabetes) from 7 countries who took part and recently completed the Type 1 Diabetes Kilimanjaro Expedition, a 7-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to show that diabetes does not have to stand in the way of achieving your goals and dreams. See pictures of the successful expedition on Facebook.

The World Diabetes Day online activities map is gradually filling up with information about planned events around the world to mark 14 November. Here are some highlights:

• In Brazil, the Federação Nacional de Associações e Entitades de Diabetes (FENAD) has launched its 16 national campaign for the education and prevention of diabetes complications. Targeting around 1,000 towns and cities throughout the country, the campaign will feature free blood glucose, cholesterol, HbA1c and microalbuminuria tests, lectures, walks, product exhibitions, activities for school children and much more. Over one million people are expected to be reached by the campaign. 
   
• In Taiwan, the Chinese Taipei Diabetes Association has arranged a selection of events from 28 October to 16 November. Highlights include the lighting in blue of the Chih-Kan Tower in the city of Tainan, an attempt at a Guinness World Record for the most people to test an insulin pen at the same time and an International Forum on Policy and Quality Management of Diabetes, to be held in the capital Taipei.
   
• In Duluth, Georgia, USA, the Ruby A. Neeson Diabetes Awareness Foundation, Inc. will organise a day of ZUMBA fitness on 14 November to heighten diabetes awareness and prevention, improve the lives of people affected by diabetes and promote healthy lifestyles. Zumba involves dance and aerobic elements and its choreography incorporates hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, martial arts, and some Bollywood and belly dance moves.

See your activity featured in our global map by submitting the details online.

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Blue monument challenge - latest confirmed lightings

Here are the latest monument and buildings to have confirmed their participation in the World Diabetes Day 2013 Blue Monument Challenge:

• Panathenaic Stadium, Athens, Greece
• Museo de la Nación San Borja, Lima, Peru
• Iglesia Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Magdalena del Mar, Lima, Peru
• Parque del Amor, Miraflores, Lima, Peru
• Historic Banting Family Farmhouse, Alliston, Ontario
• Hospital Santa Lucia, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Chih-Kan Tower, Tainan, Taiwan
• Helios Med Onlus, Pozzallo (RG), Italy
• Dr Juan Munuce Hospital, Jacinto Arauz, La Pampa, Argentina
• Edificio Municipal de Jacinto Arauz, La Pampa, Argentina
• Escuela N°33 "Gral. Manuel Belgrano", Jacinto Arauz, La Pampa, Argentina

If you have a confirmed lighting, please submit it online and we will add it to our online list.

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Steps to take control of your health

This month the World Diabetes Day Facebook page is highlighting the different steps that people are taking to control their health. Here are the 5 steps that we’ve received from our followers:

• With a little help from...this site. Thanking you.  Hazel Hardman
• Follow and keep a schedule of when you eat, how many carbs and your blood sugar levels. Know your body, even when your diabetes gets out of control, it's up to you to manage it. Brisa Ibarra, USA
• By our lifestyle ... Rakhmi Oktarini Bangetz,  Indonesia     
• For Laurie, 9 years old and living with type 1 diabetes, it’s about constantly surpassing her limits. Nothing is beyond her: running, swimming, cycling, horse-riding, rollercoasters or catapulting. Celyne Purcell, Canada
• A daily appraisal should be made, particularly for people at risk, adopting a more healthy diet and doing regular physical activity adapted to a person’s abilities : at least 30 minutes of brisk walking a day is more than enough. Staying optimistic and smiling regularly also helps to stay healthy.  Olfa Abid, Tunisia

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Campaign materials

A reminder of the materials that we have available for use in your local awareness activities:

• Posters: the four campaign posters are available for download in 15 languages. Print copies can be requested online in English, French and Spanish. Send in your request before 1 October to ensure delivery of the posters in time for World Diabetes Day.
   
• Infographics: a selection of visuals explaining diabetes, its signs and symptoms, risk factors and how to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. Available for download in English, French and Spanish.
   
• Banners: promote the campaign messages by downloading one or more of our World Diabetes Day web banners.
   
• Merchandise: blue circle pins, bracelets, World Diabetes Day flags and waist measuring tapes are available for purchase from our online store. T-shirts and other items can be ordered from http://www.cafepress.com/diabetesbluecircle.

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