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Glowing Blue: World Diabetes Day – DZD Takes Part in the Blue Monument Challenge

On World Diabetes Day, November 14th, distinctive buildings shall be lit up in blue in various locations in Germany. The German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) is involved in this year’s campaign “Protect Our Future” of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The aim is to raise global awareness of diabetes, which affects around six million people in Germany alone.

Besides the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Allianz Arena in Munich, the TV tower in Düsseldorf and the Holsten Gate in Lübeck shall be lit up in blue. Partner or associated institutes of the DZD are located in these cities: the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE), Helmholtz Zentrum München, the German Diabetes Center (DDZ) in Düsseldorf and the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, which is offering an entertaining diabetes information event on nutrition and lifestyle, among other topics, in St. Peter’s Church from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm prior to the illumination of the Holsten Gate. On November 16th the DDZ will inform those affected by the disease and the interested general public at the 3rd Kaiserswerth Diabetes Patient Day about new developments in the treatment of diabetes. Helmholtz Zentrum München will provide information on new findings regarding diabetes and diabetes research at the Munich Science Days from November 16 – 19. Furthermore, DZD experts will present the latest research results at the scientific conference on diabetes in Berlin on November 15th /16th.


Prevention is crucial
“With these campaigns we want to raise diabetes awareness. Knowledge about the disease and its prevention plays a crucial role for the successful treatment of diabetes,” said Professor Michael Roden, scientific director of the DDZ and board member in the DZD.
Diabetes is one of the biggest challenges of health care: The IDF predicts that in 2030, half a billion people worldwide will be affected by the disease, and highlights the significance of this with a comparison of the largest populations on earth: 1. China 2. India 3. Diabetes 4. USA 5. Brazil.

DZD experts at the information stand
The central public event in conjunction with World Diabetes Day will take place on the following Sunday, November 17th, in Berlin in the International Congress Center ICC. The hosts are Diabetes DE – German Diabetes Aid and German Diabetes Aid – People with Diabetes (DDH-M). Between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm the DZD will take part with its interactive stand. The diabetes expert Prof. Dr. Andreas Pfeiffer of the DIfE, a partner in the DZD, will hold a talk at 3:00 pm on “Tailored Diabetes Prevention and Therapy” and will be available for personal conversations at the DZD stand. The latest research findings will be presented there, and visitors to the stand can take the German Diabetes Risk Test ®. Reports of patients’ experiences and attractions such as distorting mirrors, a puzzle and an electronic pegging game will round off the information offering of the DZD.
The German Center for Diabetes Research is a national network of leading experts in diabetes research. Basic researchers and clinicians work hand in hand on new personalized prevention and therapy strategies. Other partners are the universities of Tübingen and Dresden.

 


More information on the IDF campaign can be found at www.idf.org
and on the central event at the Berlin ICC at http://www.diabetesde.org/weltdiabetestag/2013/