1. New materials available online
2. Campaign picks up speed in San Francisco
3. News roundup

New materials available online

The International Diabetes Federation makes its World Diabetes Day materials available through the World Diabetes Day website. The materials are designed to help the global diabetes community and committed individuals to organize local diabetes awareness events on and around World Diabetes Day. The materials also help provide a global identity to the campaign and ensure consistency. We do, however, encourage adaptation of the materials so that they best meet local needs.

The 2008 poster is already available. We have kept the core visual concept that was used in 2007 and developed four posters for the different key messages. An alternative version of each has been created with a syringe integrated into the concept. The posters are currently available to download in English, French and Spanish. Please visit the materials section.

We are currently developing a tool box to help you mark World Diabetes Day. We welcome suggestions on what you might need. Send any requests you may have to worlddiabetesday@idf.org.

Campaign picks up speed in San Francisco

The American Diabetes Association has just held its annual scientific sessions in San Francisco, USA. We seized the opportunity to hold a couple of World Diabetes Day events. We set up an interview with Dr Graham Ogle, the Program Manager for the International Diabetes Federation's Life for a Child Program and Ron Raab, the President of Insulin for Life. Both organizations are collaborating closely to provide life-saving medication, supplies and education to children with diabetes in the developing world. View the first part of the interview.

Also in San Francisco, the official World Diabetes Day car – a VW beetle that competes in the Baja 1000 and other races – drove into the city to help raise awareness of diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation, the Official World Diabetes Day Partners and Desert Dingo Racing co-sponsored a public event to warn the general public of the risks of diabetes and in particular to explain the warning signs of diabetes.

The ADA meeting also saw the launch of the World Diabetes Day fridge magnet. Aimed at supporting the World Diabetes Day campaign goal of raising awareness of diabetes in children, the magnet takes the form of the distinctive blue diabetes circle and comes with a card that outlines the warning signs of diabetes. The fridge magnet is now available through the IDF shop. Visit the WDD merchandise section.

News roundup

Monument Challenge: latest monuments to confirm:

• Congregation Church, Nauru
• Citadel of Aleppo, Syria
• City Hall, Wavre, Belgium
• The Hofdi House, Reykjavik, Iceland
• City Hall, Tarbes, France

See the full list.

Life for a Child saving lives in two new countries

A campaign goal for this year is to add 500 more children to the International Diabetes Federation's Life for a child Program. Thanks to some of the support you gave last year, the Program has been able to start supporting children with diabetes in Ecuador and Sudan. Find out more at www.lifeforachild.org.

Does your child have diabetes? Were you diagnosed with diabetes as a child? We want to help people to understand what diabetes is like for children in different parts of the world. Send your story to worlddiabetesday@idf.org.

World Diabetes Day Biker takes on Tunisian Rally

Australian Youcef Cummings is piloting the World Diabetes Day rally bike to raise money to help children with diabetes in developing countries. Find out how he got on during the gruelling Rally of Tunisia.

More than 10 Official Partners sign up in support

As a not-for-profit organization, the International Diabetes Federation depends on the support of its membership, partnering organizations and donations from individuals to help support our campaigns and programmes. The World Diabetes Day 2008 campaign has received the support from over 10 official partners so far:

• AstraZeneca
• Boston Scientific
• Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Insulet Corporation
• LifeScan
• Eli Lilly
• Medtronic
• Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)
• Novartis
• Novo Nordisk
• Pfizer

Posted on Mon, 06/16/2008 - 12:29