“World Diabetes Day- 2009” observation campaign in Bangladesh

Date and time of the activity: 15^th November, 2009

Country: Bangladesh

Organising Association: PSSB Bangladesh

Related IPSF portfolio: Public Health

Title of report: (Activity name): “World Diabetes Day” observation campaign in Bangladesh

Chairperson of Activity and her/his e-mail address: Mohammad Kawsar Sharif (Siam) (E-mail: president.pssb@gmail.com) & Md. Samiul Alam Rajib (E-mail: pssb.cp@gmail.com)

Location(s) of the activity: North South University, Bashundhara campus

Number and type of target audience: Students and General Public

Number of students taking part in the activity: 200+

Other organisations or parties (including professors or advisors) involved in the activity: The campaign was organized in association with the following organizations- Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB), Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), Novo Nordisk, Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited, Nestle-Bangladesh Limited. Respected faculty members of department of Pharmacy, North South University also helped us in different aspects

Description of the activity

Background:

Diabetes appeared to have been a death sentence in the ancient era as it was treated as an incurable disease in ancient time. Human civilization became advanced gradually but this silent killer is still holding its position as an almost incurable disease. In modern world, at least 171 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, or 2.8% of the population and the number will be almost doubled by 2030! In this connection, International Diabetes Federation announced 14^th November as “World Diabetes Day” to aware people about this deadly disease. Bangladesh, as a third world country, is also suffering from this health problem which is actually a fast growing problem here. Therefore, different preventive measures were taken time to time to make people aware of Diabetes and take control over the disease.

This “World Diabetes Day observation campaign” is a part of those huge preventive steps which was observed on 15^th November, 2009 at NSU’s Bashundhara campus.

Aims:

Basically, the aim of this campaign was to make people aware of Diabetes and its critical consequences. Besides that, organizers tried to give some sound knowledge to the participants/ audiences about what to do in case he or she gets diabetes. The enthusiastic organizing committee also provided with the latest updates about the diabetic research around the world to inform general public about the advancement of treatment against this disease.

Methods and used tools/materials:

Bunch of Enthusiastic pharmacy students of North South University came together with some magnificent ideas to arrange this event. The campaign contained different parts which actually attracted over thousand audiences to the campaign place.

The day started with a “Diabetes Rally” which was presided by the Vice Chancellor of North South University, Dr. Hafiz G. A. Siddiqui. Faculty members and students of the Pharmacy department and students from different other departments of North South University also participated in the rally which really caught the attention of general public around the area. The rally started from the campus, made a round around the area and ended up in the campaign venue. The Slogan of the rally was “Understand Diabetes and Take Control”.

There was a “Poster Exhibition” going on from morning. Students Faculty members of Pharmacy department submitted their posters which were hung in the different corners of the venue. The posters were about the Cause, Consequences, Treatment, prevention of Diabetes and the latest drug development in this sector.

Along with the poster exhibition, the campaign was also consisted with “Multimedia presentations”. Those presentations were made targeting the non-health professional general people. Therefore, those presentations were made in self-explanatory fashion with the most easily understandable terms and tips about prevention and treatment of Diabetes. A soothing music was included with the presentation to make the environment more vivid. Though the presentations were self explanatory, one Pharmacy student was standing all the time in front of each projecting presentations as well as in front of the posters to answer the queries of General Public and students about diabetes.

The most audience catching part of the campaign was “Free Blood Sugar Level Check-up and Blood Grouping Booth” where everyone got a chance to check his/her blood sugar level and group of his/her blood instantly. After screening the blood parameters, every one was given a “Blood group card” containing the result of the screenings (Blood Sugar level and Blood Groups) and further advice and health tips in it. The tools and facilities of checking blood sugar level were provided by the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB) and Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM). The each individual who checked his/her blood sugar level got gift souvenirs provided by Incepta Pharmaceutical Limited. Diabetes experts from BIRDEM were present at the booth to provide instant support and advice to the Diabetic patients all the time.

“Sugar Free Coffee” was provided by Nestle- Bangladesh limited to cheer up the audience and participants in the campaign venue.

The campaign ended up with a “Diabetes Awareness Seminar”. In the seminar, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB) gave a presentation focusing on the current situation of the diabetes in Bangladesh and some health tips about how to avoid Diabetes. Later on, Novo Nordisk came up with some current advancement in the drug research in this field. Member of the NSU board of Governors Mr. Iftekharul Alam were present as a special guest in the seminar.

Media coverage:

During the day long event, media partner for this event, Channel-i and “The Daily Star” covered the program focusing on the different segments of the event and took the feedback from the general audiences.

Result:

The response of the general public was extraordinarily positive. The big cues in front of the Blood sugar level check-up booth, numerous curious people gathering in the seminar with a lot of queries etc tell the success story of the campaign. We believe it was a successful cumulative effort by the enthusiastic members of the organization to create awareness about this rising global epidemic by answering a lot of questions, providing with health tips to avoid diabetes etc.

How ever, it would not have been possible with out the supports from the audiences first of all. The office of the Vice Chancellor and the Pro Vice Chancellor, The office of the proctor, The Information Services Department, the decorators of the Venue and most of all the splendid volunteers deserve big thanks for helping in organising a successful “World Diabetes Day observation Campaign”.

Finally we would like to thank Mr. Mohammad Kawsar Sharif (Siam), the PSSB President for his visionary thinking for this campaign and for making the program a very successful one. His continuous dedication and hard work is helping the association to reach better heights day by day.

Organisation of the activity- this will help other CPs and events organisers to understand ‘behind-the-scenes’ how to carry out this great project

Timeline of organising the activity: 2 weeks

Number of students involved in organising: 30

Advertisement of the activity: Poster, TV, Leaflet, Newspapers and Magazines

Budget and the financial supporters: USD $300

Comments and/or ideas arising from the activity:

Diabetes is one of the major causes of death and health complicacies around the world. From the peoples’ general queries in the campaign, it was realised that most of the people do not know whether he/she has diabetes or not, due to the lack of access to the knowledge. Awareness can be built up by providing easier access to the knowledge about the disease to prevent Diabetes.

Hot Shots !!

“Diabetes Day Rally”

”Explaining the contents of a Poster in the Poster exibition”

Campaign Poster

”Multimedia Presentation was also a centre of attention!!”

All the time crowded Blood sugar level check-up and Blood grouping booth!”

Blood Glucose Level Measurement!

”Need charge? Seep Cofee!!”

”Vice Chancellor of NSU and the members of the Board of Governors paying visit in the campain site.”

PSSB President explaining the overall campaign and the outcome to the PRO VICE CHANCELLOR of NSU Dr. SAM Khairul Bashar who paid a visit to the campaign

Preparing for the multimedia presentation and the seminar!

The Organizers!

The Organizers did not have a moment to breathe in ease to ensure a proper and successfull campaign

With the Pro VC and the faculty members of the Pharmacy Dept. At NSU

”It was an ideal place for organisers and Participants to meet and Talk about DIABETES!”

Reported by-

Md. Samiul Alam Rajib

Contact Person,

Pharmacy Students’ Society of Bangladesh.

Diabetes The Silent Killer

November 14^th 2009, 13:00 – 15.00

Indonesia (Padang)

By Ikatan Senat Mahasiswa Farmasi Seluruh Indonesia (ISMAFARSI),

Association of Indonesia Pharmaceutical Students

Related IPSF portfolio: Public Health

Location(s) of the activity: Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia

Number of students taking part in the activity: 3 Pharmacy Students as Informant

Description of the activity

Background (if relevant):

as we know that, Indonesia is fourth rank for diabetes sufferer. Besides, Diabetes is a diseases that rarely give a real symptoms and specific symptoms. It makes the beginning sufferer not aware that she or he suffer diabetes. Generally, the sufferer know that she/he suffer diabetes when the diseases was chronic. Therefore, ISMAFARSI did this activity.

Aims:

We hope with this small activity, people will know about diabetes and aware that he/she is suffering diabetes early. So, it can be handled with the right and the best treatment. Besides, we try to press the amount of Diabetes’s sufferer. We want to give small contribution with our country in health care.

Methods and used tools/materials:

We used a simple method. We delivered this campaign by radio for two hour.

Three Pharmacy Students from STIKES and Andalas University came as Informant of this Air Campaign. We talked about what diabetes is, kind of diabetes according to WHO’s version. The symptoms of diabetes ,the factors that can make diabetes, the treatment using a drugs or non drugs, how the life style is and etc. We got a positive responces from audiance in the air. Hopefully this methot will be effective to deliver some important information to the society.

Reported by:

Chrysna Winandha

CP ISMAFARSI

Indonesia

International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation

Activity Report Form 2009 - 2010

Date(s) and time of the activity: e.g. 12^th – 13^th November 2009

Country: Singapore

Organising Association: NUSPS Singapore

Related IPSF portfolio: Public Health

Title of report: (Activity name): World Diabetes Day in Singapore

Chairperson of Activity and her/his e-mail address: Valerie Ng (vp@nusps.org)

Location(s) of the activity: National University of Singapore Campus, School of Medicine and Science Faculty

Number and type of target audience: 500 NUS staff and students

Number of students taking part in the activity: 28

Other organisations or parties (including professors or advisors) involved in the activity: NA

Description of the activity

Background:

This is the third time NUSPS has participated in World Diabetes Day (WDD). Last year, the campaign was held in campus to raise awareness about diabetes among the staff and students in NUS. Students are targeted as the theme for WDD is Diabetes in Children and Adolescents.

This year, the theme for WDD is Diabetes Education and Prevention, and the slogan is “Understanding Diabetes and Take Control”. Hence, our campaign this year is to raise awareness of the risk factors of diabetes, prevention of diabetes, and how to manage diabetes.

Aims:

1. To promote awareness of World Diabetes Day and its significance

2. To educate the NUS population about diabetes

3. To educate the NUS population about the risk factors, preventive measures and control of diabetes

4. To create awareness amongst the NUS population about the NUS Pharmaceutical Society

Methods and used tools/materials:

We made use of floor stickers to ask thought-provoking questions related to diabetes. This was to stimulate passers-by to stop and think of the significance of diabetes and relate them to their own lives. The floor stickers were placed at prominent places around the school of medicine and the faculty of science a few days before the event such that we can reach out to a larger population base. Posters regarding World Diabetes Day were also pasted on the floor to raise awareness of the global efforts taken to decrease the prevalence of diabetes and also to appeal to everyone to play their part in fighting diabetes.

We also made use of specially designed bookmarks to reach out to more people is. We felt that leaflets and brochures would not be too well-received by people in general because they might be too wordy and people also had the tendency to discard them after reading. Hence, we decided on bookmarks as it would be a more concise alternative.. Each specially designed bookmark described a different aspect of diabetes and were actually answers (more information) to the questions raised on the floor stickers. We also built on the fact that because people have the tendency to share and compare the different bookmarks they each got, there would therefore be greater spreading and sharing of information amongst the school population. Each bookmark had a blue ribbon attached to it as well, which signifies unity under the sky as the official WDD colour. The flip side of the bookmark contained information on WDD as well as the significance of the logo to once again create awareness of the global effort and to appeal to personal participation.

Pharmacy students who were giving out the bookmarks on the 2 days also provided more information regarding WDD and diabetes to the receivers, and hence they themselves gained a deeper understanding of WDD and diabetes. The pharmacy cohort also participated in the event by wearing blue on 12 and 13 Nov.

The NUSPS logo was printed on the posters and also on the cover of each educational leaflet to raise awareness of our society.

On 14 Nov, a short tribute to World Diabetes Day was posted on the NUSPS website (www.nusps.org).

Results:

The event received good response and was better than expected considering it was the last 2 days of school before the examinations. The floor stickers were certainly read by many and all 500 bookmarks were given out. The pharmacy students managed to practise their counselling skills and also learnt from each other.

The participants gained a better understanding of the disease. Most were friendly and had a few questions for us. Some had family members or relatives who are diabetic and we managed to address some of their concerns. More people would be aware of the world effort in reducing the incidence of diabetes as well.

Organisation of the activity- this will help other CPs and events organisers to understand ‘behind-the-scenes’ how to carry out this great project

Timeline of organising the activity:

25 Oct Proposal of event drafted

29 Oct First meeting with helpers for event planning

2 Nov Information to be included on floor poster/ stickers and bookmarks compiled

5 Nov Publicity of event to pharmacy students

7 Nov Email blast to all Science students and staff

9 Nov Printing of floor posters/ stickers

10 Nov Pasting of floor posters/ stickers around the School of Medicine and Faculty of Science

10 Nov Printing of bookmarks

10Nov Publicity to all Science students and staff in the Science newsletter

11 Nov Cutting of bookmarks and tying the blue ribbons

12-13 Nov World Diabetes Day Event – giving out of bookmarks and addressing questions

Number of students involved in organising: 2

Majority of the organising was done by me but I had help from one NUSPS executive sub-committee which helped me with the execution of the event.

Advertisement of the activity:

As stated in the timeline

Budget and the financial supporters:

Funds were obtained from NUSPS for publicity material (amounting to S$36.50), printed materials (S$75).

Any special tips to host it successfully?

Start early! Good publicity of the event is crucial!

Comments and/or ideas arising from the activity:

Plans were made to set up a booth for sugar-free products and posters to be put up for educational purpose. We also wanted to hold a ‘eat healthy and stay sugar-free’ day in school. These were not done partly due to time constraint and also because we wanted to focus on the bookmarks and floor stickers as ideas that are linked to each other and to reach out to more people because they are more flexible. To have a booth would only be restricting to a limited group of people since we’re staying at a fixed spot. Nevertheless, I think the booth and ‘healthy’ day are really good ideas that can be implemented with more resources and time.

Thank you for submitting your article!

Qatar Pharmacy Undergraduate Society

College of Pharmacy, Qatar University

Doha, Qatar

Date and time of the activity: November 6, 2009 (4pm-8pm)

Country: Qatar

Organising Association: Qatar Pharmacy Undergraduate Society -QPhUS

Related IPSF portfolio: Health Promotion

Title of report: (Activity name):

QPhUS Diabetes prevention awareness campaign (change your life)

Chairperson of Activity:

QPhUS executives 3

Location(s) of the activity: Villagio Mall – Doha, Qatar.

Number and type of target audience:

Public from Villagio Mall visitors.

Number of students taking part in the activity:

College of pharmacy students were 5 students while all participants were about 12

Other organisations or parties (including professors or advisors) involved in the activity:

1- Qatar Pharmacy Undergraduate Society (QPhUS)

2- Qatar University (QU) – College of Pharmacy (CPH)

3- Qatar University (QU) - Department of Health Sciences (Biomedical & Nutrition)

4- University of Calgary_ Qatar (UCQ)

5- Qatar Foundation - Qatar diabetes association (QDA)

Acknowledgment:

College of Pharmacy Marketing and Communication Specialist.

Ms. Tammy King

Background:

Diabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar level is high; it has different types and it can affect people of all ages with variation of each type’s incidence from one age group to another. The number of diabetic people is increasing all over the world due to aging, population growth and the increasing of obesity prevalence as well as the inactive life style. According to that, QPhUS noticed the importance of spreading the awareness for the public in Qatar parallel to the worldwide diabetes awareness events targeting Qatari population needs.

Aims and achievements:

 QPhUS aimed to show the support and leave a footprint in spreading as well as the improvement of the diabetes awareness conditions in the Qatari society.

 Collaboration of pharmacy students with nursing, biomedical and nutrition students was important chance for early interaction of the students with the future health care team members who are going to work under the umbrella of patient care goal. The event encouraged for more future collaboration between the different disciplines health care students.

 The campaign was important for QPhUS expansion to the society level and widening the range of QPhUS activities in order to achieve bigger promotion for QPhUS.

 Promoting the role of pharmacists in the society awareness and show the collaboration between different health care colleagues and Promote the high level of training those students had received from their colleges.

5

Description of the activity:

Students from four different disciplines had the opportunity of partnering with a big organization like QDA (Qatar Diabetes Association) and they gained also the opportunity of practicing their practical skills in the public sittings. Risk for developing diabetes was assessed for each visitor and brochures were distributed.

The event plan focused on the importance of having this activity during the weekend to have more available students to show the collaboration as well as to perform the main tasks of this campaign and also to gain the opportunity of having the maximum number of audience. Another thing that was taken into consideration is where to locate the activity in side that big mall; the booth was in the restaurants area or the food court of that mall where more people will be existed during the weekend.

Students had the opportunity of practicing their practical skills in the public sittings by providing general information and counselling information, assess the risk of developing the disease, perform the blood glucose level test as well as the analysis of the body mass index under the supervision of their instructors. Students also checked the history, the weigh, diabetes signs, and the glucose level of their visitors and according to that they refer the person or just satisfy themselves by providing a brochure and small information for the person.

Newspaper reporters visited the booth and few interviews were made. 6

Material were used:

 3 types of brochures were distributed; the first one was about eye and diabetes, the second one was about Qatar diabetes association services, the final one was about Diabetes and Ramadan in which fasting play important role for the diabetic health.

 Posters we redistributed for events advertisement in the mall and universities.

 An announcement was published in the newspaper for public advertisement.

Results:

This activity was a great achievement for QPhUS since it was the first inter-professional collaboration for a public health event. Although the place of the event was too small and more space was needed, it was perfect for attracting the maximum number of people. The range of QPhUS activities was represented in the public and by that we achieved more promotion. QPhUS built new relations and that was a great step for future events. 7

Organisation of the activity:

Advertisement of the activity:

Ms.Tammy King communicated with the participated departments and announcements were distributed by QPhUS external Vice. President (Raja.Barazi) to the whole college of Pharmacy students.

Budget and the financial supporters:

Brochures and equipments were provided from Qatar diabetes society and other booth related things were brought using College of Pharmacy QPhUS special budget.

Any special tips to host it successfully:

As mentioned previously, the strategic place and time were chosen from the planning step, and collaboration between different disciplines gave a very colourful

Care provision.

Comments and ideas arising from the activity:

QPhUS Partners were supportive; and it was a great experience to have different disciplines to promote for the public health issues. An idea rose of having public health promotion events subcommittee in QPhUS to help in organising and increasing number of such events. 8

Report respectfully submitted:

Qatar Pharmacy Undergraduate Society- QPhUS

College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar

QPhUS Vice President –external.

IPSF Contact Person 2009-10.

Raja Barazi

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) welcomes the focus of World TB Day 2010 - 24 March - on people who have found new ways to stop tuberculosis (TB), recognizing those who have introduced a variety of innovations in a variety of settings, including new approaches to helping people gain access to TB diagnosis and treatment, and advances in integrating TB care into health systems.

read the rest of this article at www.idf.org

The day is just about here. As in previous years, it is important that we share a unified message. The theme selected for World Diabetes Day campaigns 2009 to 2013 is ‘Diabetes Education and Prevention.’

The campaign slogan this year is: “Understand Diabetes and Take Control”.

This is a message about empowerment through education. For governments, it is a call to implement effective strategies and policies for the prevention and management of diabetes. For healthcare professionals, it is a call to improve knowledge. For the general public, it is a call to understand the serious impact of diabetes and know, where possible, how to avoid or delay the disease and its complications.

The key messages of the campaign are:

• Know the diabetes risks and know the warning signs
• Know how to respond to diabetes and who to turn to
• Know how to manage diabetes and take control.”

Four aspirational goals drive the campaign:

• Every government should implement effective strategies and policies for the prevention and management of diabetes.
• Every person with diabetes should receive education and support to help them manage their diabetes.
• Everyone should know the warning signs of diabetes, how to prevent or delay the complications and what action to take to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
• Every country should celebrate World Diabetes Day.

We are calling on the global diabetes community to lobby for action to make these goals a reality.

Follow the campaign minute by minute

As the countdown accelerates, we are receiving a constant flow of lighting confirmations and updates about planned events. There are just too many to list here. At the time of writing this message, we have 576 lightings confirmed and over 320 events listed.

For all the latest information, please keep an eye on the campaign website (http://www.worlddiabetesday.org) and twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/WDD). We’ll provide you with the updates as they come in.

Your ideas help inspire action. Please register your event

Every year, people around the world come up with many different ways to involve the local community, engage the local media, and raise awareness of key diabetes issues among decision makers and the general public.

The majority include some common elements as part of their celebrations:

• Promotion of the blue circle as the global symbol for diabetes
• Use of the colour blue (pantone colour 279 or as near as possible)
• An element of fun

Your ideas help inspire action. Register your event now on the World Diabetes Day website.

India puts diabetes in the media spotlight

In the days counting down to World Diabetes Day, India’s leading news channel CNN-IBN is planning to broadcast a week-long series of programmes that put the spotlight on the diabetes epidemic, including a half-hour special on 14 November.

CNN-IBN presenters will support our call to ‘Wear and Share’ the diabetes circle by wearing the blue circle pin on World Diabetes Day.

One episode in the series will feature IDF President Jean Claude Mbanya explaining the challenges faced by developing countries like India and China as the diabetes epidemic continues to explode across Asia.

The channel’s previous reports on the IDF Diabetes Atlas and the IDF World Diabetes Congress in Montreal can be viewed at this link: http://tinyurl.com/ibndiabetes.

India has the highest number of people with diabetes, with 50.8 million people in the country now living with the disease.

JDRF helps drive World Diabetes Day activities

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the world’s largest charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research, is encouraging the public to learn about type 1 diabetes and its complications by observing World Diabetes Day.

JDRF lightings in US to include Empire State Building

In the US, JDRF will mark World Diabetes Day with numerous events, including media outreach, essay contests on “What Does a Cure Mean to Me?”, and local fundraising activities. JDRF is helping “Bring Diabetes to Light” by asking its members to light blue candles. The organization is also behind the lighting of many landmarks and monuments throughout the United States, including the Empire State Building in New York, Hotel Le Cirque in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Sun Trust Financial Center in Tampa, Florida.

JDRF to help social networkers go blue

In the UK, JDRF is giving Facebook and Myspace users worldwide the opportunity to show their support by turning their avatar blue for World Diabetes Day. Visit http://www.jdrfaware.com/goBlue.aspx to find out how.

Austin turns airwaves blue for World Diabetes Day

As part of their media outreach for World Diabetes Day, the dynamic team behind the activities and lightings in Austin, Texas, have partnered with local radio station 103.5 BOB FM to run advertising spots throughout the week leading up to November 14.

Not satisfied with leaving it at that, the people at BOB FM wanted to do more and came up with a novel way of joining the global campaign to bring diabetes to light. Every hour on November 14, BOB FM will play a song that has blue in the title and raise considerable awareness among listeners by explaining why. So on 14 November, from the Blue Moon of Kentucky to Blue Bayou, from Blue Suede shoes to Blue Velvet, and from Blue Monday to Blue Ronda à la Turk, Radio BOB will be supporting diabetes and airing material to suit all tastes.

IDF video channel sees launch of awareness short

We’ve just launched a one-minute film setting the stage for World Diabetes Day on 14 November. Entitled “Understand Diabetes, Get Involved”, the clip can be viewed on the WDD YouTube channel.

Watch the short and leave us your comments. Please feel free to post it on your website, blog, discussion forum and social networking pages. Help spread the diabetes awareness message as widely as possible

Predictors of Pharmacy Students’ Intentions to Monitor Diabetes 

http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/JPPS/article/view/4317

Announcing the diabetes blue circle ‘Wear and Share’ campaign

Have you recently snapped a picture of a Hollywood or Bollywood celebrity wearing the blue diabetes circle pin? How about a sporting megastar, a world leader or rock god? If you have, we need that picture now for our World Diabetes Day wall of fame. It’s my guess, however, that you might not have found that photo opportunity just yet.

In fact, hold on a minute and ponder the following question: “Where are all the A-list celebrities for diabetes?”

Recent figures from the IDF Diabetes Atlas show that 285 million people now have diabetes worldwide. The disease is a leading global cause of vision loss, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and amputation. At a grim four million lives lost a year, diabetes is also a leading cause of death. So where are the big-name celebs rallying behind our cause? Wherever they are, please ask them to step forward, we need their help. And if they do, please make sure you have your camera at the ready to capture the moment.

World Diabetes Day, however, is not all about the glitterati. It’s about diabetes representative organizations and individual champions making a difference. So we’re asking everyone to step forward and share a photo of themselves or others wearing the blue circle symbol of diabetes. You don’t have to be famous to get on our wall of fame. Whoever you are and whatever your link to diabetes, we want a snapshot of you wearing the pin. Who knows? Maybe one day we can put your picture up on the wall right alongside your favourite TV personality.

If you don’t have the pin, no problem – any kind of blue circle alternative will be welcome. After all, we wouldn’t want to cramp your creative instincts.

To help us put diabetes in the picture, join the global wear and share challenge. It’s simple, all you have to do is:

• Ask a friend, a family member or indeed one of your many celebrity contacts to wear the diabetes symbol. Then capture the moment on film.
• Post the image on the World Diabetes Day website.
• Leave the rest to us. We’ll put your picture up on our diabetes wall of fame and share it through the World Diabetes Day museum.The blue diabetes pin is the must-have accessory for anyone involved in the diabetes cause. Pins are available in packs of 10 (enough for every one of your celebrity friends!). Read more about the diabetes circle at http://www.diabetesbluecircle.org.