The Big Blue Test for World Diabetes Day

Mike — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:21:47 +0000

November 14 is World Diabetes Day. On that day, at 14:00 hours (local time), thousands of people with diabetes will test their blood sugar, do 14 minutes of exercise, test again and share their results on TuDiabetes or on Twitter.The event is called The Big Blue Test because blue is the color associated with World Diabetes Day. It is based on a test-in activity that took place July 14, where more than a thousand people with diabetes tested their blood sugar at the same time and shared their results online. This time, the activity incorporates 14 minutes of physical activity to reinforce the importance of exercise.

Participating in this event to raise diabetes awareness on November 14 is easy:

1. Test your blood sugar.
2. Run, jog, walk the dog or do anything you’d normally do as part of your exercise routine for 14 minutes.
3. Test your blood sugar again.
4. If you are a member of TuDiabetes click on the home page banner and share your readings and what exercise you did between them. If you have a camera, you can also add a photo of your reading(s) or you exercising.
5. If you have a Twitter account, post your readings on Twitter (use the #bigblue hashtag) and link back to: http://bigbluetest.org.

We hope to see most readings posted at 14 hours (2 pm) local time, on November 14. If you are early or late, it’s OK.

What really matters is that you test your blood sugar often and that you exercise regularly. If you don’t have diabetes, you can still take The Big Blue Test. Regardless, tell others to test, exercise and share on November 14.

IMPORTANT:

If due to disability or medical advice you cannot exercise, naturally we don’t expect you to do anything that will put you or your health at risk. We’d love you to participate entering your blood sugar readings.

If you work in media or have access to local media, please help us get the word out about the event, by sending them the press release attached below.

The Big Blue Test for World Diabetes Day is a post from: Diabetes in Spain

World Diabetes Day/Día Mundial de la Diabetes

Mike — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:44:13 +0000

About World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. It engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight. This year sees the first of a five-year campaign that will address the growing need for diabetes education and prevention programmes.

World Diabetes Day is a campaign that features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community. While the themed campaigns last the whole year, the day itself 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.

How is it marked?

The global diabetes community including International Diabetes Federation member associations, diabetes organisations, NGOs, health departments, civil society, individuals and companies develop an extensive range of activities, tailored to a variety of groups. Activities organised each year include:

Radio and television programmes
Sports events
Free screenings for diabetes and its complications
Public information meetings
Poster and leaflet campaigns
Diabetes workshops and exhibitions
Press conferences
Newspaper and magazine articles
Events for children and adolescents
Monument lightings
Human blue circles
Walks
Runs
Cycle Race
Political Events

So what’s happening in España?

There are numerous goings on around Spain ranging from Diabetes Meetups, to fairs, walks and more. View the list…

Also in keeping with the WDD theme for raising awareness is the lighting of key buildings and monuments throughout the world and Spain is no exception with 10 buildings being lit up in Blue, in addition to the other events taken place on November 14 throughout España.

Online Diabetes Events

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