Q4-07
	Breaking the vicious circle Chronic diseases and poverty are interconnected in a vicious circle; the poorest are the least able to access and afford care, and are therefore most vulnerable of dying prematurely from the severe complications, or suffering long term from the associated morbidity of these diseases. Five years ago, the World Diabetes Foundation set out with the purpose of improving the prevention and treatment of diabetes in developing countries. This was driven by an ambition to alleviate human suffering related to diabetes and its complications among those least able to withstand the burden of the disease. Our mission is far from complete; however the targeted efforts already provide care and relief to millions of people, and the footprints of these interventions can been seen across the world. The year 2007 has been a turning point for the World Diabetes Foundation. Growing from fifteen odd projects in the first year of existence in 2002, today the Foundation funds 138 projects covering 77 countries. This means additional work and we have recruited a few more very qualified hands to help lift the burden. In this newsletter you will be introduced to some of our new colleagues who will play an important part in accomplishing our mission, creating sustainable partnerships and helping in a small way to break the vicious circle. In addition we share some initiatives which have served as examples of how small ideas have evolved into important platforms for raising awareness and providing access to care; such as the Global Diabetes Walk and fundraising projects in Tanzania and Cameroon. Let me also take this opportunity to wish our readers a belated Happy New year!   Dr. Anil Kapur Managing Director World Diabetes Foundation
	Global awareness on World Diabetes Day 2007 On World Diabetes Day, 207,694 people from 70 different countries joined the Global Diabetes Walk in 2007. When walking, their thoughts have been with the 246 million people around the world who not only walk, but live with diabetes around the clock. Read more
	Yemen off to a good start A diabetes centre in Sana’a is the corner stone in a World Diabetes Foundation supported project that hopes to create awareness and start a process of building a national strategy to map and fight non-communicable diseases such as diabetes in this relatively poor country in the Middle East Region. Read more
	Securing a future for Prince Leonard Nine year old Prince Leonard Shoo from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, carries the double disease burden on his tiny shoulders, dealing with the major diseases of Africa by himself and in his family. Read more
	Reaching out to the children Statistically there are 38,000 children in Sub Saharan Africa living with type 1 diabetes. However, the problem is that only a few of them receive medical attention before its too late, and even fewer are properly diagnosed and provided with lifesaving insulin. Fundraising projects initiated by the World Diabetes Foundation in Tanzania and Cameroon support children with diabetes care and provide them with a hope of a normal life. Read more
	More hands to lift the burden The year 2007 has been a turning point for the World Diabetes Foundation. Growing from fifteen odd projects in the first year of existence in 2002, today the Foundation has funded 138 projects covering 77 countries. In 2008, a few new staff members have joined the Secretariat. Read more