World Diabetes Day
Help shine a light on Diabetes
World Diabetes Day (WDD) is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world and is an official United Nations Day which is marked in over 160 countries. It falls annually on 14 November, to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting.
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2008 is "Diabetes in Children and Adolescents” with the aim to raise awareness of the rising prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents.
The colour blue
World Diabetes Day is an official United Nations Day. Blue represents the day because it is the official colour of the logo and of the UNite for Diabetes campaign which was instrumental in the United Nations’ resolution recognising diabetes as a major threat to global health.
A monumental challenge
The International Diabetes Federation are aiming for 500 buildings / monuments to be lit this year and for 500,000 individuals to light a candle on 14 November 2008. As the Monument Challenge is one of the key activities led by the IDF for World Diabetes Day, Diabetes UK has joined forces with other diabetes charities in the UK to involve as many buildings as possible in this huge challenge!
Diabetes UK has joined forces with other diabetes charities in the UK to encourage buildings across the country to illuminate in blue on 14 November 2008. We have once again secured the London Eye. Click here to read more about it and view a full list of all the buildings lighting up worldwide.
Like our virtual candle? Download it here.