Walk celebrates first UN observed World Diabetes Day

Since 2004, the World Diabetes Foundation has encouraged people around the world to walk on World Diabetes Day. This year we celebrate that UN recognises diabetes as global problem. This year’s walk is coordinated in partnership with (IDF), the International Diabetes Federation. Last year, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) campaigned for the UN resolution to come true, by calling everyone to ‘Unite for Diabetes’, which will be the theme for this year’s walk as well.
A festive crowd joining the Global Diabetes Walk. Indonesia, 2006.
On 20 December 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed a landmark resolution recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. The Global Diabetes Walk is an ideal way to show your support and to raise awareness of the campaign on an unprecedented scale. Diabetes affects us all, help us make people aware In 2007, diabetes is expected to result in 3.8 million deaths which is equivalent to 6% of world mortality and the same figure as HIV / AIDS. We encourage you to sign up for a walk and join the World Diabetes Foundation and the International Diabetes Federation in creating awareness of diabetes around the world on 14th November - World Diabetes Day 2007. Last year, more than 161,000 people from 55 countries worldwide took part in the walk – a clear demonstration that diabetes is a problem that affects us all. How to organise or join a walk Since August, 130 walks have been submitted on our Walk website. Already more than 60,000 people are expected to join the walk. Join a walk, or create your own, the important goal of walking on World Diabetes Day is to raise awareness about diabetes and the easy way to prevent this disease through regular physical exercise. To create your own awareness campaign a free design toolkit has been made available for download on the Walk website. You can find staggering facts to convince you friends, family and colleagues to walk with you.   If you have any questions about the walk, please visit the Walk website www.globaldiabeteswalk.net or send an E-mail to WDF Communication Manager Jamal R. Butt.