World Diabetes Day 2002
Your Eyes and Diabetes
Don’t lose sight of the risks
IDEAS
for celebrating World Diabetes Day 2002
Because of lack of time, no World Diabetes Day report has been written this year,
however some activities have been reported in Diabetes Voice issue 1, April 2002,
of which you will find a copy attached.
We know that the report is valuable to our member associations in order for them to
know what other member associations have been organizing for World Diabetes Day and
get new ideas. Next to the Diabetes Voice article we have gathered some suggestions
and compiled a series of examples that struck us for their originality. We have not been
able to take all reports into account and apologize to our dear friends whom we do not
mention. This does not mean that we did not find your activities interesting, but we had
to make a selection out of the numerous reports that reached us.
MEDIA
Television and radio shows, press conferences, press releases and articles in
newspapers and magazines are a very important tool to give visibility to
diabetes and to your organization. Try to involve journalists even more.
Suggestions:
 Organize screening tests for journalists during a press conference.
 Arrange with television to have spots at various moments of the day.
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“One local TV station let us have the six morning spots and showed taped versions
on the noon, five, six and ten o’clock news spots” (Canada).
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“Three 18-20 minutes films on cardiovascular disease in diabetes were
transmitted on the state and two private TV channels” (Georgia).
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“We had a full broadcasting TV day on diabetes, early detection, new treatments,
prevention of complications, nutrition, physical activity, quality of life with
diabetes, and reports about the Israel Diabetes Association’s activities” (Israel).
 Have radio shows.
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“For the third time the Slovenian Diabetes Association together with their
country’s Radio Club organized a transmission of World Diabetes Day messages
International Diabetes Federation
19 Avenue E. De Mot, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +322 538 5511 – Fax: +322 538 5114; Visit us at www.idf.org, e-mail: idf@idf.org
World Diabetes Day is co-sponsored by the
International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization
through radio amateurs worldwide, reaching 1500 radio amateurs in 80 countries”
(Slovenia).
WIDER PUBLIC
Member associations seem to have plenty of ideas to reach the wider public.
Public meetings, conferences and exhibitions are usually organized in most
countries, often combined with free blood glucose tests, walks, marches and
sports events. Events can be concluded with a concert or with dancing.
Suggestions:
 Blood glucose tests can be performed:

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In supermarkets (e.g. Cayman Islands),
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In the parliament (Croatia),
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In hospitals and public sites (Paraguay),
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In social and sports clubs (Qatar),
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In pharmacies, involving pharmacists,
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In collaboration with other organizations: “Blood glucose and blood pressure
levels were checked under great tents of the Italian Red Cross” (Italy).
Organize sports events demonstrating the importance of a healthy lifestyle
for all:
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“The Cambodian Diabetes Association (CDA) organized a boat racing party with
pedal-boats and racing pirogues. Junior CDA members and sympathizers from
health organizations and institutions – namely the Cambodian Medical Association,
the Cambodian Pharmacist Association, the Medical Students Association, the
Department of Non-communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health, the
Department of Food and Drugs took part in this contest” (Cambodia).
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“A mass rally was organized in the morning of 14 November. People with
diabetes, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals took part in the rally.
Officials from the government, including the Health Minister, State Minister and
Secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also participated in the rally”
(Bangladesh).
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“A “Walk for Diabetes” was organized in association with service organizations like
the Rotary, Giants, and Lions’ Club. People from all walks of live, young and old,
participated in this event” (India).

Involve “famous” people of your country.
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
“The Olympic gold medallist Suzuki Daichi gave a lecture on the “Importance of
health by means of sport and lifestyle”” (Japan)
Hold a diabetes exhibition.
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“The French Association organized the Sixth Diabetes Fair, gathering over 6000
visitors, among them people with diabetes, healthcare providers, doctors,
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researchers, who participated in conferences, workshops and in the exhibition”
(France).

Organize a musical or theatre show.
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“The “grand final” (of the awareness week) was held in Rome. A show was
presented with the collaboration of some famous testimonials: Michele Mirabella,
a well-known anchor man of the Italian public television channel (RAI) conducted
a meeting among scientists, young athletes with diabetes and a famous country
singer of Naples, Beppe Barra, who has diabetes too. Gino Paoli, a famous Italian
author and singer sang his best repertory during one and a half hours of great
music” (Italy).
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“The World Diabetes Day events were concluded with country dancing” (Uruguay).

Prepare a posters campaign.
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
“The World Diabetes Day poster, which was prepared by IDF, was translated into
Persian, reproduced in 1000 copies and put on bulletin boards of educational and
research centres, hospitals, pharmacies and public places” (Iran).
Have a special stamp issued in collaboration with the postal service of your
country.

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“The American Diabetes Association participated with the United States Postal
Service and other diabetes-related organizations to release the nation’s first
diabetes awareness commemorative stamp” (U.S.A).
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“All letters posted in Cyprus on World Diabetes Day were cancelled with a slogan
on diabetes” (Cyprus).
Distribute educational booklets.
“An education book entitled “ABC of Diabetes” was published in two languages
(Portuguese and Chinese) and distributed to all people free of charge” (Macau –
People’s Republic of China).
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PEOPLE WITH DIABETES AND THEIR FAMILIES
As for the general public, it is a good idea to offer blood glucose testing
together with blood pressure and cholesterol testing to people with diabetes
and their families. Do hold information sessions for people with diabetes and
their families and distribute booklets.
Suggestions:

Inform people with diabetes about a healthy lifestyle (e.g. healthy eating,
physical exercise, avoiding smoking) and how it can help control blood
glucose levels.
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“One branch launched practical callisthenics exercise (Callisthenics: gymnastic
exercises to achieve bodily fitness and grace of movement). They invited all
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callisthenics exercise instructors from all branches and encouraged practicing it as
a basic exercise for people with diabetes. The Jakarta branch celebrated World
Diabetes Day with a callisthenics competition (Indonesia)

Give some cooking demonstrations and show that cooking and eating
healthily is easy and fun.
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“The northern region of the association organized a healthy picnic” (Barbados).
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“A food festival was organized for people with diabetes” (Indonesia)

Organize visits to people with diabetes.
“The Diabetes Association organized visits to old, blind, and immobile people with
diabetes” (Croatia).
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
Organize camps for children with diabetes.
“The aim of the camp was to help young people with diabetes to establish
friendships, build self-confidence, and learn more about diabetes” (West Indies).
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
Magazines and websites are a good source of information.
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“The Ethiopian Diabetes Association launched the first association’s magazine in
November, in connection with World Diabetes Day. The magazine is written in
Amharic, the official Ethiopian language” (Ethiopia).
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“World Diabetes Day was the opportunity to launch the interactive website of the
association (www.diabetes.ie) as well as a diabetes telephone help line” (Ireland).
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
Try to organize lectures, seminars or workshops for different healthcare
professionals: GPs, medical students, but also nurses, pharmacists, nondiabetes specialists (ophthalmologists, cardiologists, podologists, etc.)
Examples:
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“Two training programmes aimed at nurses in the field of diabetes were
organized. Both programmes were two days long and were attended by
approximately 100 participants” (Hungary).
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“A national awareness campaign involved pharmacies, diabetes associations and
laboratories. It was considered an important step towards prevention and control
of the condition. Pharmacists can play an important role at two levels: at primary
prevention (information on healthy living) and secondary prevention (screening).
A good collaboration between the doctor and the pharmacist and a good
coordination of advice to give to the public is at the basis of effective healthcare”
(Belgium).

Get in touch with the local eye association and try to organize some joint
events.
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DECISION MAKERS
It is important to invite the Minister of Health and key decision makers to join in
the World Diabetes Day events. Remind them of the necessity of education and
access for all on all aspects of healthcare
Examples:
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“A petition to reduce the charges of insulin cartridges was written by the
association and presented to decision makers” (Slovakia).
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“A “National Committee for World Diabetes Day” was set up in Colombia, with
participation of representatives of the Ministry of Health, Secretary of Health of
Bogotá, WHO/PAHO, and several scientific organizations” (Colombia).
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“On 20 November, together with six other patients’ organizations (asthma,
kidney, oncology, Parkinson’s, psychic diseases, organization of undersized
people) we organized a protest meeting at the building of the government. We
were against the new project of price compensation for medicine that had been
presented by the Ministry of Health. This project would have represented a very
high surcharge and meant inaccessible treatment for people with incurable
diseases. As a result, the new project was not confirmed” (Lithuania).
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“They (government officials) also actively participated in the discussion meeting
that followed the rally and exchanged views with members of the press and
public” (Bangladesh).
TRY TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE:

Children and students:
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“We worked with 6th grade students of several schools to inform them of the ways
of preventing diabetes. We helped them prepare to a “Diction” competition in
which three students got a premium for their participation” (Panama).
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A painting competition for children was organized in Zanzibar (Tanzania), in Japan
(see Diabetes Voice article) and many other places. A drawing competition was
organized for secondary school and high school students in Indonesia


“We also had activities aimed at volunteer firemen” (Paraguay).
Companies (such as pharmaceutical companies) can try to reach their employees
through:
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Articles in the internal company newsletter.
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The canteen can feature menus with exchanges leading the attention to how
people with diabetes usually plan their meals.
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Organize a sports competition for your employees such as a diabetes run, a
volleyball game, or an open fitness session, demonstrating the importance of
exercise in the management of diabetes. Distribute leaflets to the participating
employees, their families and other spectators.
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