What is World Diabetes Day?
From a humble beginning in 1991 when the International Diabetes Federation celebrated the World Diabetes Day for the first time, it has become a globally celebrated event. Comprising hundreds of campaigns, activities, screenings, lectures, meetings and more, the World Diabetes Day provides an annual platform and an occasion to raise awareness about diabetes.
The World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. It is celebrated on 14th November every year, which is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
According to the IDF, the World Diabetes Day reaches a global audience of over one billion people in more than 160 countries, making it the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign. It keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight by drawing attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes community.
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Every year, the World Diabetes Day campaign focuses on a dedicated theme. The theme for World Diabetes Day 2019 is Family and Diabetes. The focus will be on raising awareness of the impact that diabetes has on the family and to promote the role of the family in diabetes management, care, prevention and education of the condition.
World Diabetes Day brings together persons living with diabetes, health professionals, diabetes advocates, the general public, media and government organizations who all unite to raise awareness about diabetes. Among activities that are organized this year around the world are marathon in Argentina, diabetes screening in Cameroon, blue lightning of the Grote Markt in Antwerp, Belgium, family themed event in Lahore, Pakistan and diabetes symposium in Jamaica to name just a few. We at RetinaRisk will organize a MeetUp in Reykjavik, Iceland in cooperation with the Icelandic Diabetes Association to discuss “Empowerment and diabetes management in modern times”.
How are you celebrating the World Diabetes Day? Have a look here to find an event near you.
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