Table Mountain to turn blue for diabetes

At 20:00 tonight Table Mountain will turn blue. This is just days after claiming its place as one of the world's New 7 Wonders of Nature and is to showcase South Africa's and the City of Cape Town's commitment to commemorate World Diabetes Day which takes place on Monday, 14th November 2011.

Turning the mountain blue is part of an international call to action led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and supported by Oz Healthcare Communications in South Africa. The campaign, using the colour blue, is aimed at highlighting important issues about diabetes, encouraging the public to get screened for diabetes and emphasizes the fact that this "silent killer" can be prevented, managed and treated.

 "At some point in the future, history will demand an explanation for why we sleepwalked into this global catastrophe," warns the IDF.

As part of the run up to World Diabetes Day "Blue Lightings" will occur in close to 100 countries around the world where monuments and well known sights will be lit up to show solidarity and support for the campaign. Last year's campaign saw 1036 monuments and buildings being lit up - an extraordinary international response. 2011 is expected to be even bigger with our very own Table Mountain being lit for the third year in a row.

The Table Mountain event has been made possible by Oz Healthcare Communications and is part of their ongoing commitment to educating the public around diabetes and partnering in the fight against the disease.

Every 8 seconds someone dies from diabetes

According to Lynne Zurnamer, Managing Director of Oz Healthcare Communications "diabetes, known as ‘the silent killer', affects millions of lives each year and is a disease that needs extensive awareness in South Africa". Every 8 seconds someone somewhere in the world dies from diabetes. Closer to home, South African's should strive to be aware of the risks, symptoms and complications of diabetes and understand why early detection is crucial in managing the disease.

The key messages for this year's campaign are:

• Go and get screened
• Know the diabetes risks and know the warning signs
• Know how to manage diabetes and who to turn to
• Know how to take control of your diabetes

Oz Healthcare Communications press release

Any questions? Ask the Diabetes Expert or visit the Health24's Diabetes Centre.

- (Health24, November 2011)

- (Image: AFP)

Read more:

Diabetes: who is at risk?
12 things you should know about diabetes
Pre-diabetes: could you have it?