November: American Diabetes Month
Here at Boulder Blimp we strive to find ways to give back and support our community. With November being American Diabetes Month, we thought we would share few events happening across the country and some creative ways you and your family can raise awareness about diabetes in your own community.
Cheer on NASCAR driver Ryan Reed: Ryan Reed was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 17, just as his racing career was taking off. At diagnosis, he was told he’d never race again. Now, at age 21, Ryan is driving the American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop Diabetes presented by Lilly Diabetes No.16 Ford Mustang in the Nationwide Series™. Watch November 15th at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“Go Blue” Campaign: November 14 is World Diabetes Day! It is an annual observance marked all across the globe. It encourages supporters to dress the family in blue and put a blue bulb in your porch light. Let it shine!
Blue Fridays: In addition to wearing blue on November 14. You can spread the word by enlisting the help of your child’s teacher to make the November 14th “Blue Friday” a class-wide or school-wide event.
Invite the World for Breakfast: This year’s World Diabetes Day theme is healthy living and diabetes starting with the first and most important meal of the day. Individuals, families, schools, and whole communities are encouraged to host one or more healthy breakfasts during the month to raise awareness about the importance of a good breakfast to help manage blood sugar throughout the day. You can even list your breakfast event on the World Diabetes Day website!
JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes: This event is fun for families and provides hope, empowerment, and a sense of community. Participation shows commitment to the large-scale movement to conquer type 1 diabetes one step at a time. Many walks are held in October and November, and you can find a walk near you here. World Diabetes Day Postcard Exchange: Connect with people affected by diabetes from around the world during the month of November! Send an email with your postal address to leeann@thebuttercompartment.com to get matched with a postcard buddy. Then create and exchange handmade postcards! Each postcard should use the blue circle in its design. The postcard exchange was founded in 2011 by art therapist and counselor Lee Ann Thill to help promote healing through creativity, connection, and activism.
Do-It-Yourself Diabetes Fundraisers: Both the American Diabetes Association and JDRF offer help setting up fundraisers for families, service clubs, youth groups, and other community organizations interested in making a difference. Whether it’s a bowl-a-thon, spaghetti dinner, bake sale, or car wash, you can feel good knowing that you’re raising money for organizations on the front line of type 1 diabetes awareness and education.
T1D for a Day Text Challenge: What’s a day in the life of someone with type 1 diabetes really like? To help friends and family members understand the demands of living with diabetes, the T1D text challenge sends messages to participants’ phones every time a management task is typically required throughout the day. Blood sugar checks, insulin injections, carb counting, and eating a meal or snack for example. For many, seeing diabetes in “real time” is a real eye-opener! Get involved HERE!
Pin a Local Diabetes Hero: Whether it’s a teacher, your diabetes educator, or a diabetes advocate who lives in your community. Do you know someone who’s really going the distance to bring greater awareness to type 1 diabetes? Recognize their efforts by giving them a special “blue circle” pin! You can obtain these pins for free from the International Diabetes Foundation. Snap your hero’s photo and upload to the World Diabetes Day Facebook® page or tweet using #WDDPin. Don’t forget to add why this person’s advocacy efforts makes them a standout!