US cities and monuments go blue for World Diabetes Day

Landmarks across the Nation will be Lit Blue in Observance of Disease that Affects 26.8 Million Americans

U.S Chair of World Diabetes Day Available for Radio Interviews

What: November 14, 2009 marks the annual global celebration of World Diabetes Day. Across the nation, more than 40 U.S. cities and landmarks will “go blue” in observance of the disease that affects 26.8 million Americans. They will join close to 600 major global landmarks - including London Eye, Burj al Arab, Christ the Redeemer, Table Mountain and Tokyo Tower - in lighting in the color of the blue circle, the global symbol for diabetes. Led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), this year’s campaign brings diabetes to light under the slogan “Understand diabetes and take control.” This is the first of a five-year campaign that addresses the growing need for diabetes education and prevention programs to tackle diabetes and its life-threatening complications.

Major U.S. Cities and monuments to “Go Blue” include: the Empire State Building, the Alamo, the California State Capitol, the Ferry Building in San Francisco, the Morrison Bridge in Portland, OR, the Philadelphia Free Library, the Wright Brothers’ Flyer in Dayton, OH, the Chase Tower in Austin, TX, and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Indianapolis, IN. A full list of US city landmarks and monuments participating in the World Diabetes Day celebrations can be viewed at: http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/en/monuments/2009/United+Stat

World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by IDF and WHO in response to growing concerns about the escalating threat of diabetes worldwide. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007. The global campaign can be viewed at www.worlddiabetesday.org

Who: Dr. Linda Siminerio, U.S. Chair for International Diabetes Federation’s World Diabetes Day Campaign, and Director of the Adult Clinical Services Division of the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute.

When: Dr. Siminerio will be available on Thursday November 12, 2009 and Friday November 13, 2009 by appointment for live, live-to-tape, and taped radio interviews to speak about World Diabetes Day and diabetes in the United States overall.

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Note to producers, editors and hosts: For more information on interview opportunities please contact Eneuri at 212.302.1234 (please leave voice mail after hours) or contact by e-mail at eacosta@straussradio.com.

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ABOUT THE SPOKESPERSON

Dr. Siminerio is the Director of the Adult Clinical Services Division of the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute. She is a nationally prominent advocate for diabetes care, education and funding, and is a former Vice President of the ADA. She is Chair of the International Diabetes Federation BRIDGES Executive Committee and recently served as Chair of the IDF 20th World Diabetes Congress Organizing Committee. She is a former IDF Senior Vice President. Her main academic focus is in diabetes quality improvement, diabetes self-management, community interventions in diabetes care, and overcoming barriers to diabetes care in underserved populations.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL DIABETES FEDERATION

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization of 212 member associations in more 163 countries, representing 285 million people with diabetes, their families, and their healthcare providers. The mission of IDF is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. Its main activities include education for people with diabetes and healthcare professionals, public awareness campaigns and the promotion and exchange of information. IDF is a non-governmental organization in official relations with WHO and associated to the United Nations’ Department of Public Information. For more information, please visit www.idf.org and follow us at twitter.com/IntDiabetesFed.