Here is your highlight on World Diabetes Day! Enjoy and happy campaigning!
The International Diabetes Federation is proud to announce that the United Nations will light its New York Headquarters in blue to mark World Diabetes Day 2008.
This is a first for the United Nations. While in the past the organization has lit particular offices to spell out messages, most notably its own anniversary and ‘I (heart) NY’, never before has the UN lit to address a specific cause.
The participation of the UN building in the campaign is fitting for several reasons. First, under the banner of the IDF-led unite for diabetes campaign the global diabetes community came together to secure a UN Resolution that made World Diabetes Day, November 14, an official United Nations Day. Second, many diabetes representative organizations assembled last year in New York to celebrate World Diabetes Day at the UN. Finally, the blue colour of the global symbol for diabetes, the blue circle, was inspired by the blue of the United Nations flag – the blue of the sky that unites us all.
628 lightings and 5 days left
We have received 116 confirmations in the past five days. At the time of sending this update, the number of buildings and sites that will light in blue has reached a staggering 628. The latest to join the list can be found at the bottom of this page. View the full list.
Friends of World Diabetes Day ride again
WDD biker triumphs in Dubai
The World Diabetes Day biker Youcef Cummings has returned home safe and sound from his recent desert rally in Dubai. We are pleased to reveal that he completed the event without harm to himself or bike.
In a starting line-up that included top names from all over the world, Youcef raced at speeds in excess of 160 km/hr to finish an amazing 5th in his class and 13th overall. Youcef races to raise diabetes awareness and funds to support the IDF Life for a Child Program (http://www.lifeforachild.org). With results like that, Youcef, we’ll be hoping for a top-three placing next year. Thanks you for your support to the World Diabetes Day campaign and children with diabetes!
WDD bug gears up for Baja 1000
So what about that Desert Dingo crew? Will they finish the Baja 1000? Desert Dingo Racing are a team of Silicon Valley professionals who take their super-charged, 1969 VW Beetle out racing across the desert. Some team members have very personal connections to diabetes. Meet the team at http://www.desertdingo.com/team.html.
The WDD-branded bug races to increase awareness of diabetes issues worldwide and raise support for the IDF Life for a Child Program. Just after World Diabetes Day, the team will enter their second Baja 1000 race to support Life for a Child.
Officially started in Tijuana in 1967, the Baja 1000 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula every year. We wish Desert Dingo all the best in the upcoming race. Follow their progress at http://www.desertdingo.com.
Campaign spotlight
CHTS gets mayors to bring diabetes to light
The Centro Hospitalar do Tâmega e Sousa (CHTS), that includes Hospitals in Penafiel and Amarante, Portugal has informed us that they have secured a commitment from the mayors of nine city halls to participate in Word Diabetes Day. At least nine city halls have signed on to light up for the day – a total of 16 public buildings and schools. Between them, the nine participating regions represent over half a million inhabitants.