Anna Knauer Elley
A record number of people and groups organised Walks this year, mobilising more than 1,000,000 people in 82 countries in the fight against diabetes.
A great moment caught at Jujersa Women & Child Welfare Organisation’s Walk event in Sandeshkhali, India.
The 2018 Global Diabetes Walk was stronger than ever, reaching a new milestone in terms of Walk organisers. This year, 202 Walk organisers registered 1,811 Walks in 82 countries – and an impressive 1,003,086 people participated. Not only were steps taken, but the message behind those steps was clear: Take steps to prevent diabetes.
Thanks to everyone who made this 14th Global Diabetes Walk a success. If you organised a Walk, but still haven’t registered – or need to update your Walk registration please send us an email (akey@worlddiabetesfoundation.org).
Walks in Africa
82 Walks were held with more than 76,241 participants in 19 countries (Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia). The biggest Walks took place in Ethiopia, with 25,000 participants spread across 3 massive Walk events organised by Ethiopian Diabetes Association– a continuing supporter of the Walk campaign.
Walks in Europe
280 Walks were held with 67,990 in 16 countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Georgia, Germany Italy, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan). The biggest Walks took place in Georgia, with 240 Walks and 50,000 participants organised by Georgia Red Cross Society - it is the largest number of Walks organised by one organiser in Europe to date.
Walks in Middle East and North Africa
68 Walks were held 64,750 participants in 11 countries (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen). The biggest Walk event took place in United Arab Emirates with more than 20,000 participants organised by Imperial College London Diabetes Centre.
Walks in North America and Caribbean
33 Walks were held with 11,335 participants in 8 countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Mexico, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and United States). The biggest Walks took place in Mexico, Salomón Padilla Garfias organised a massive Walk gathering 5,000 participants.
Walks in South and Central America
58 Walks were held with 44,010 participants in 11 countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, and Uruguay). The biggest Walk took place in Argentina, where Sofia Maria Samudio Godoy organised a massive Walk event with 11,500 participants.
Walks in South East Asia
1,258 Walks were held with 723,660 participants in 4 countries (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka). The biggest Walks took place in India with an impressive 500,000 participants spread across 898 Walk events organised by Jain Hospital – making Jain Hospital the biggest Walk organiser in the history of the campaign.
Walks in Western Pacific
32 Walks were held with 15,100 participants in 6 countries (Cambodia, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore). The biggest Walk took place in Fiji, where Diabetes Fiji Inc. organised 10 walks with more than 5,000 participants.
Questions, comments, need to update your registration? Please contact Anna Knauer Elley.
