Sydney turns blue for World Diabetes Day
The Sydney Opera House joined 600 major global landmarks on Saturday night by turning blue for World Diabetes Day 2009.
Across the world, blue landmarks like the London Eye, the Empire State Building and Tokyo Tower helped to turn global attention to diabetes. Two JDRF Youth Ambassadors, Matt and Nikita, were on hand in Sydney to talk about the special challenge of type 1 diabetes.
JDRF Australia launched a petition for World Diabetes Day, with members of the type 1 community stepping up in their hundreds to draw attention to diabetes. JDRF called for more acknowledgment of the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as this year’s themes for World Diabetes Day were prevention and education.
JDRF Youth Ambassadors with Rob Palmer (centre) in front of a blue Opera House.
JDRF reminded Australia that type 1 diabetes is not preventable – yet. There is no clearly identifiable cause of type 1 diabetes, so there is no known way to prevent it. Though it’s worth remembering that research organisations like JDRF are a lot closer than ever, with human trials of a vaccine taking place right here in Australia.
By signing the petition, supporters called for an increased understanding and support for medical research into type 1 diabetes, to help our community, government and corporate supporters understand that we desperately need a cure.
World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 in response to the growing numbers of people affected, and it became an official United Nations Day in 2007. Read more at www.worlddiabetesday.org.
JDRF recognises Abbott Diabetes Care for their efforts in turning the Sydney Opera House blue for World Diabetes Day 2009.
World Diabetes Day is a great way of educating the public in the differences between type1 and type2,nothing against people with type2 but i do get tired of familyand friends being ignorant to the fact that type1 is an auto-immune disease,is not curable(yet) and is not preventable(yet).
Ya…World Diabetes Day is a great way focus attention on the need for better understanding and action on preventing, treating and curing diabetes. I am feeling glad because I am a Diabetes Champion…Diagnosed with Type 1 at age 15. Now at age 51, I work in a Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab clinic and enjoy helping people with diet, insulin adjustments and just feeling okay about having diabetes.I am a CDE and love to play golf and downhill ski.
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Hi There
i must whole heartedly agree with these comments, better education and getting the message out there
Sara
It all helps. Still smiling about the recent ad on ABC radio informing me that riding a bike will stop diabetes. If only I had known that was all we had to do to prevent our daughter getting type 1.
HI there
I also agree with all the above comments. I am often asked if my 10 year old daughter will grow out of her Type 1 Diatetes? Definitely better education about the differences would hopefully help the public understand.
Sir, Greetings. I have conducted World Diabetes Day Walk &Camp.Blood Glucose tests are performed for 79 persons.Advice on Diabetes prevention & postponement of late complications was given.