How Was YOUR World Diabetes Day?

What did you do Nov. 14 for World Diabetes Day?

The day for me started meeting a potential new sponsor for the community. It may result in the opportunity to talk at diabetes fairs in the Bay Area, where Latinos who are just learning they have diabetes attend.

I then visited the School District in Palo Alto, where kids in classrooms where there were children with type 1 diabetes put together posters for World Diabetes Day. I posted the pics of the posters on the Photos section.

Next, I dropped by the house of a friend who recently was told she had to test her blood sugars every morning (she has been told she has pre-diabetes). I showed her how to use her meter: it was kinda fun splitting my explanation between the "theory" and the practice. Example: you are SUPPOSED to change your lancet every time you test... but almost nobody does it. :P

After that, I had lunch and we got ready to head over to San Francisco, for the lighting in blue of City Hall. There I met, among other folks, with Kelly Close, Amy Tenderich and Priscilla Call, Alisa Bekins again, and had the pleasure to meet Jim Allison for the first time. It was a very special evening... lots of talk and lots of hope for the future!

First six photos by: Mark Yarchoan, diatribe.us

Tags: WDD, day, diabetes, world

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Permalink Reply by John on November 15, 2008 at 7:48am

My day was pretty much the same, I wear a blue uniform at work and I did mention to my fellow workers about it being World diabeyes day and was very much surprised at the response "it is?"
Also I was disappointed that there was no mention of it on any of my local news stations or national news (ABC Nightly).
Not to long ago there was attention to Juvenile diabetes and fund raising but never a mention about adult onset. I find this a bit puzzling.
Even my family members were unaware but I can say now that there are a few more people that now know, whether or not anyone remembers next year remains to be seen.

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Permalink Reply by buzz bishpo on November 15, 2008 at 8:53am

We kicked some serious ass on the radio, Manny.

Lots of interviews, and fund raising. We held auctions raising $4000 for Team Diabetes, and then LA Weight Loss stepped in with a $5000 donation.

Wow.

I have all the interviews archived: http://www.buzzbishop.com/blog/category/world-diabetes-day/

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Permalink Reply by Manny Hernandez on November 15, 2008 at 8:56am

AWESOME!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Marie B on November 15, 2008 at 11:46am

I was surprised also there were no reports on tv. I would have though people would like to see Niagra Falls lit up blue! I went to the dentist dressed in blue, and had the opportunity to give someone a TuDiabetes postcard, which came this week in my gift box from the recent fundraiser. They are so beautiful!

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Permalink Reply by Manny Hernandez on November 15, 2008 at 12:06pm

Marie:
THAT is the biggest disappointment I experienced yesterday. We saw ONE TV station pull over to take some shots of the building and that was it. Also, I noticed Google News > Health had not a single mention of World Diabetes Day. Because of how Google News works, this means that there were not enough media outlets covering the day.

I guess that is a big learning for next year: we need to focus on getting media coverage as much as possible!

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Permalink Reply by Colleen on November 15, 2008 at 2:33pm

A friend told me NPR did something about WDD. Searching the site now, I can't find anything though...

I didn't get to do much other than my facebook status, but it's so great to see everyone's pictures up here! I'll look forward to doing more next year!

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Permalink Reply by Kristin on November 15, 2008 at 1:02pm

Here in Hungary it received some decent press. I only checked online newspapers (we don't have a TV), but they had many articles written about WDD and why the statue overlooking the Danube was lit up in blue. I hope that it raised some awareness!

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Permalink Reply by Marie B on November 15, 2008 at 2:49pm

can you tell us about the statue?

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Permalink Reply by Kristin on November 15, 2008 at 3:01pm

Here is a link with a good (brief) description of her history.

I like this statue a lot because she is visible from almost anywhere in the city and it really looks as though she is looking over the city. Her story is interesting and controversial. She was actually built after World War 2 and originally had two Soviet soldiers on either side of her. She symbolized the fact that the Soviet Union "freed" Hungary from Nazi Germany. As time passed after 1945, the Hungarian people did not feel that they were freed by the Soviet Union, but felt that the Soviet Union was occupying Hungary. There was a revolution against the Soviet presence in Hungary in 1956, but it was violently suppressed. After the collapse of communism in 1989, all former Soviet statues were removed from the city, but the people wanted the Liberty woman to stay. The Soviet soldiers were removed and her identity changed from a Soviet statue to one the symbolizes those who fought for Hungary's freedom. I think it is really amazing how her identity has been transformed.

I was very excited when I saw that she was even going to be raising awareness about diabetes!! :)