WORLD DIABETES DAY

Rotary Action Group for Diabetes (RAGD) supports the World Diabetes Day initiative and encourage everyone to elevate diabetes, its perils and the Global Diabetes Epidemic in their circle of influence on 14-November.

“World Diabetes Day is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.

World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225.”

– International Diabetes Federation

2021-23 World Diabetes Day – “Access To Diabetes Care”

Get involved in spreading the word!  As a Rotary Action Group, that is exactly what we need to do for diabetes.  The introduction at  www.Insulinat100.org says it all. Two thoughts: Life saving discovery and More Remains to be done.

The page gives the details and offers the opportunity to share a story.  I think two stories need to be shared, personal, of course, but also stories where insulin access has been offered/accelerated.  Too many die for lack of insulin.

Each year the World, because of the UN Resolution in 2006, celebrate World Diabetes Day on November 14, birthdate of the father of insulin Sir Frederick Banting who sold his patent to insulin for a mere $1. A fascinating story of a remarkable man.  Like many discoveries in medicine it came after decades of research and understanding.  As such it needs to be celebrated.

World Diabetes Day 2021-2023.  This year marks a three-year campaign to improve access to diabetes care and highlight the need for more action to prevent diabetes and its complications.

What can Rotarians, Rotary Clubs and Districts do?  First of all is the magic word awareness (see RAGD Areas of Focus).  The diabetes epidemic continues unabated. Individuals need to know personal risk, and yes there is a test to determine risk.

Locally, in your communities have access issues that Rotarians can help address.  Likewise, international programs have been created and Rotary has been involved.  Find one, start one and get involved.  Rotary Action Group for Diabetes can help.

Rotarians have collaborated with Life of a Child for decades.  Read about the 2030 vision to support 150,000 children and youth and encourage sustainable provision of supplies.  These are just ideas.  Read about the problem and some potential solutions at home and internationally.  Be part of the solution

RAGD has developed Areas of Focus to address the Diabetes Public Health Crisis. Each estimate by countries, NGO’s like IDF or WHO, of people with diabetes show ever increasing numbers. This is not sustainable from the health or economic point of view. Diabetes demands ever increasing use of limited medical resources and causes major limitation for health of individuals and society.

Two major organizations have decided that a course of action seems much needed.  The  epidemic of diabetes continues unabated and doing nothing remains a terrible choice.  The International Diabetes Federation and the Rotary Action Group for Diabetes want you to promote the same good risk test that are in multiple language choices:

 Take The IDF Diabetes Risk Test

Those wishing to implement a program should look into The World Diabetes Day Toolkit.  You can easily present a program and have attendees take the diabetes risk test.  At the Hamburg Convention many delegates were astounded to learn of their risk.  Diabetes is just that pervasive and unappreciated.

You can protect your family by taking the diabetes risk test.  If one is overweight, have heart, blood pressure or other chronic conditions, they should take the diabetes risk test.  Learning that one is at risk can help prevent diabetes.

Rotarians, this special day designated by the UN, 14-November, put the information and links in your newsletter and help your fellow Rotarians and others in your community change their future to one without diabetes.