World Diabetes Day

November 14, 2008 is World Diabetes Day—the preeminent global diabetes awareness initiative. OmniPod is proud to join forces with businesses and nonprofits world wide, to help “bring diabetes to light.”

World Diabetes Day was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the alarming rise in diabetes around the world. It is now an official United Nations world day, marked by over 160 nations globally. And in 2008, they are all focused on childhood diabetes, increasing awareness among parents and caregivers, teachers, healthcare professionals, politicians and the public.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Type 1 diabetes is growing by 3% per year in children and adolescents, and at an alarming 5% per year among pre-school children. It is estimated that 70,000 children under 15 develop type 1 diabetes each year (almost 200 children a day). Currently, an estimated 440,000 children live with type 1 diabetes globally.[1]

On November 14, monuments and buildings around the world will be bathed in blue—and groups will gather for fundraising walks and motorcycle races, press conferences and Frisbee competitions, and most importantly, free workshops and diabetes screenings. Above all, it is a day when the global community stands with the global diabetes community in response to  the diabetes pandemic. Visit the World Diabetes Day website to find out more.

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