World Diabetes Day (14 November)

Celebrate World Diabetes Day on November 14th with Maple Community Services!

Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic that affects millions of lives every day. In the last thirty years the number of people living with this condition has increased from 108 million to 420 million for several reasons such as changes in lifestyle, genetics, limited access to healthcare and stress. This condition often goes undiagnosed and untreated making it even more important to advocate for awareness.

We celebrate World Diabetes Day every year on November 14th. This day represents an opportunity to encourage greater understanding of this complex condition, raise awareness about the impact it has on people’s lives and promote positive change in diabetes prevention, care and management.

Beyond the statistics, diabetes is a personal story for millions of people and their families who grapple with its challenges. a day of heightened awareness, education, and action in the battle against diabetes. We unite to commemorate this important occasion with a new sense of urgency and purpose.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical condition that occurs when your body doesn’t make enough insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar) or doesn’t use it as well as it should. This causes your blood sugar levels in your body to become too high. It is a chronic, long lasting condition that affects how your body turns food into energy or how it stores it for later use. Symptoms of diabetes include:

• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Chronic hunger and thirst
• Blurry vision
• Numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes
• Always fatigued
• Unexplained weight loss
• Excessive fat in your mid abdomen
• Dry skin

Undiagnosed or untreated, diabetes can give rise to severe complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, nerve damage, foot ulcers and in some cases it can be fatal.

Why do we celebrate World Diabetes Day?

These are the main reasons we celebrate World Diabetes Day on a yearly basis:

• Prevention – Many cases of diabetes can be prevented, with the right information and a lifestyle modifications such as healthy eating, physical activity, and avoiding tobacco use we can improve prevention rates of diabetes;
• Awareness – to increase awareness surrounding the causes and effects of diabetes as well as treatment options;
• Educate – increase education in our communities about diabetes, reduce stigma and encourage equality;
• Advocate – We can advocate for more research into treatments and healthcare systems that support diabetes prevention, early detection, and effective management for a better understanding of the impact of this condition;
• Access to promote universal and quality access to health care, treatment, rehabilitation, and assistive technology for those living with diabetes.

As diabetes so commonly goes undiagnosed it’s crucial to raise awareness and advocate for those receiving these symptoms or those who may be predisposed to the condition. We want to make sure they can get the treatment they need to live a healthier and better quality of life.

How can I get involved in World Diabetes Day?

Getting involved in World Diabetes Day is a meaningful way to contribute to raising awareness about diabetes and supporting the global effort to combat this condition. You will find various events, activities, and educational programs to get involved with either locally or online during World diabetes Day. Diabetes Australia holds events designed to help people with diabetes and their families to learn more about the condition.

Some other ways you can get involved in World Diabetes Day include:

Raising Awareness

World Diabetes Day is a means to raise awareness about diabetes as a prevalent chronic condition that affects so many of us. We can do this with the help of local events, social media or community gatherings. We use it as an opportunity to educate the public and healthcare professionals about the different types of diabetes, their symptoms, causes and treatments.

Wearing blue

The colour blue is associated with diabetes awareness. By wearing blue clothing or accessories, people can visually demonstrate their support for those living with diabetes and their commitment to raising awareness, showing solidarity, fostering conversations and promoting fundraising and advocacy about the condition.

Improving Quality of Life

Early diagnosis is integral for managing diabetes effectively. We can advocate on this day to encourage people to recognise early symptoms and seek medical treatment. Better understanding around the condition can also reduce stigma relating to the disease and promote better support and care.

Sharing your Story

Sharing our personal stories can be a powerful way to spread information within our communities. Sometimes putting ourselves in vulnerable situations helps to generate the most invaluable support.

Joining Events and Fundraisers

You can find local activities to participate in that support the cause. Alternatively, you could organise your own event to learn, exchange stories or fundraise for certain organisations that work to shed light on the impact of diabetes and encourage research in this field. When we participate in events, we can actively contribute to the effort, learn more about the cause, meet interesting people and help to make a positive impact.

What is the theme of World Diabetes Day?

According to WorldDiabetesDay.org the theme of World Diabetes Day from years prior was ‘Access to Diabetes Care’. This theme highlights the critical importance of ensuring people living with diabetes have continuous access to the care they need for effectively managing their condition and avoiding complications

The stark reality is that many people across the globe lack the necessary access to diabetes care, which means that they are not receiving the essential medical attention, education, and resources required to effectively navigate life with diabetes. This global issue demands our attention and action, as it directly impacts the well-being and quality of life of people we know and love.

Remember, celebrating World Diabetes Day is not limited to a single day of the year. This celebration should inspire ongoing efforts to educate and promote awareness about diabetes throughout the whole year. Watch out for more opportunities with Maple Community Services.