Q1-05
	Having an impact on twenty million lives Diabetes is spreading worldwide. Luckily people around the world, helping the World Diabetes Foundation raise funds, are working across borders too. In Japan employees of Novo Nordisk together with the diabetes association have raised funds for the people of Mongolia, while international companies joined forces to establish a clinic in the Phillipines. The perfect occasion to do some fundraising is having a large number of leaders in one place all interested in and dedicated to solving the problems of people with diabetes. This happens every year in January, where leaders from Novo Nordisk worldwide hold an International Management meeting. This year the money collected supports the establisment of a clinic for children with diabetes in Afghanistan. Frequent donations from both private persons and companies as well as contributions from the Danish government are the visible indicators of a consolidation of the Foundation as an internationally recognized organisation. Focus on Asia Some of the projects we are currently supporting are focusing on Asia - not without a reason. In China alone, the total number of people with diabetes is estimated to be in excess of 20 million. The prevalence data for Chinese living in highly developed, urban areas indicates what the Chinese and the region as a whole can expect to see in the future - an explosion in diabetes prevalence. With 38 projects supported to date the work of the Foundation is estimated to have a direct impact on 20 million people in developing countries. Numbers that make us proud, knowing the results are achieved through innovative strategies and enabled by the empowerment of local communities. Annual report 2004 Our annual report has been released, and it contains a wealth of information on both the activities of the foundation and on the problem of diabetes in general. As usual the stories are illustrated with remarkable pictures from our projects around the world. Copies of the annual report can be downloaded here
Children in Afghanistan  Fundraising Q1-2005	Funds for children in Kabul It has all ready turned into a successful tradition for the World Diabetes Foundation to present a fundraising project at the International Management meeting for Novo Nordisk leaders. This year the funds collected goes to the establishment of a diabetes clinic at the Indiraghandi paediatric hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. A video presentation followed by a speech by Sardar Isaqsai made it possible for the World Diabetes Foundation to collect 74,763 Dkr. The company of Novo Nordisk A/S and NOVO A/S multiplied the donations and together with a donation in March funds of the amount of over 300,000 Dkr ( 52,000 USD) have been raised. Read more
Containerised treatment Iloilo, Phillipines, 2004	Treatment in a box In December 2004 a container was transformed into a modern diabetes clinic and donated to the district of Iloilo in the Philippines. The container was donated by Maersk Sealand, while other partners donated clinical equipment, training and financial support. “Diabetes constitutes a continuous threat to global health, and having people join forces across industries to the benefit of people with diabetes is something we will hopefully be able to replicate in other countries,” says Leif Fenger Jensen, Managing Director of WDF. Read more
Mongolia, 2005	Japanese employees open diabetes clinic in Mongolia A fundraising activity at a two day seminar at Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd. in Japan lead to a massive fundraising for the people of Mongolia. This year the employees have all the reason to be proud. Together with WDF and WHO they are responsible for the opening of a diabetes clinic and an educational program in Mongolia. Read more
Global Diabetes Walk Bangalore, November 2004	Global Diabetes Walk A Global Diabetes Walk extending over seven continents brought together nearly 70.000 people in a world wide campaign to raise awareness of diabetes. The message was simple: physical inactivity is one of the main reasons for the epidemic growth of diabetes. The Global Diabetes Walk was initiated by the World Diabetes Foundation to encourage people all over the world to take more exercise, thereby supporting this year’s theme for World Diabetes Day: “Fight Obesity, Prevent Diabetes”. According to health experts, 30 minutes of “brisk walking” five days a week is enough to change the unhealthy trend and fight world obesity.   Read more
Bhutan, March 2005	Bhutan in need of knowledge An estimated 10,000 - 20,000 people with diabetes in Bhutan need immediate diabetes care. The number is low compared with a total population of 700,000. However the Royal government of Bhutan has chosen to take a proactive stance towards the threatening growth of diabetes in Asia, and the World Diabetes Foundation is supporting their efforts. Read more
Lars Rebien Sørensen Tanzania, 2004	One of the principal voices At the end of 2004, Lars Rebien Sørensen, President and CEO of Novo Nordisk and board member of the World Diabetes Foundation, was invited to participate in a new global media initiative by the name of Principal Voices.   Throughout 2005, CNN, Time and Fortune will be presenting a series of videos, articles and round-table discussions featuring nine world-renowned experts – Principal Voices – who will explore the key issues, offering their ideas and opinions on how to meet the challenges. Novo Nordisk’s role in setting up the World Diabetes Foundation and the difference that the Foundation has made for people with diabetes in some of the world’s poorest countries played an important role in identifying Lars Rebien Sørensen as one of the Principal Voices. Read more