Every year, the global diabetes community comes together to mark World Diabetes Day - a United Nations Day and the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world - on 14 November.
The Monument Challenge, hosted by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), sees countries across the world compete to light the highest number of buildings and landmarks in blue, on or around World Diabetes Day. Hundreds of monuments and landmarks were lit up blue last year from Egypt to the United States and Japan to Croatia.
For the second year running, eight diabetes organisations in the UK, including the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation (DRWF), are joining forces to work together and raise awareness of the seriousness of diabetes, one of the biggest health challenges facing the UK today.
Last year, in the UK, 25 buildings were turned blue including the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, London Eye, Harmony Statue in Belfast and Inverness Castle. This year the aim is to exceed that total – every single building lit helps in the challenge to further increase the awareness of the seriousness of diabetes.
Blue represents World Diabetes Day because it is the official colour of the logo and of the Unite for Diabetes campaign which was instrumental in the United Nations’ resolution recognising diabetes as a major threat to global health.
For more information on the World Diabetes Day Monument Challenge visit: www.worlddiabetesday.org