Worldwide diabetes campaign: Allianz Arena lit up in blue

More and more cases of the illness in Germany.

 

On November 14, the Allianz Arena will be lit up in blue - not because of a football match but because of world diabetes day. As part of the International Diabetes Federation's (IDF) campaign, hundreds of structures and monuments will be colored blue, in order to raise awareness of diabetes. The color symbolizes the unification of all countries under the sun in the fight against diabetes. Since the world cup in 2006, the Allianz Arena has stood for the harmonious coexistence of a wide spectrum of nations. And that's why it is taking part in this year's movement for which the motto is: "Diabetes prevention and education".
 

The number of sufferers worldwide is increasing
 

The campaign's objective is to improve the medical care given to those with diabetes and to raise awareness of the illness, which has an impact on the demographic structure of countries globally: According to the IDF over 370 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes. IDF estimates that there are over five million diabetes patients in Germany. It is predicted that by 2030 half a billion people worldwide will be affected by the illness. Most people suffering from diabetes live in China (114 million), India (63 million) and the US (24 million). Overall, four out of five sufferers live in low and middle income countries.
 

Despite major advances in diabetes research, the illness often remains undiagnosed for years because it is subtle in its early stages. In addition to genetic predisposition the risk of being affected by the disease is mainly increased by an unbalanced diet and a lack of exercise. When common health risks are life-style related, preventive measures have a significant impact.

The Allianz Arena lit up in blue. In this case, the color symbolizes the unification of all countries under the sun in the fight against diabetes.

The Allianz Arena lit up in blue. In this case, the color symbolizes the unification of all countries under the sun in the fight against diabetes.

Diabetes is the only illness with its own UN awareness day apart from Aids

 

November 14 is Sir Frederick Grant Banting's birthday, the man who discovered insulin. In 1991, November 14 was introduced by the IDF and WHO as world diabetes day. Since 2007 this date has been recognized by the UN as an official awareness day. Diabetes mellitus is thereby the second illness after Aids for which awareness has been raised by its own dedicated UN day.

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Petra Brandes
Allianz SE
Phone +49.89.3800-18797
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