Act On Diabetes. NOW.

On November 14, 2010, the International Diabetes Federation published "A Call To Action on Diabetes".

This CALL TO ACTION focuses on 3 areas:

1)  IMPROVE health outcomes of people with diabetes.

2)  PREVENT the development of type 2 diabetes.

3)  STOP discrimination against people with diabetes.

PLEASE NOTE:  Candy Hearts is especially committed to the first focus area - IMPROVE THE HEALTH OUTCOMES OF PEOPLE WITH DIABETES through the provision of essential care (such as insulin).  You can help this effort by supporting the campaign to raise awareness and funds for the Life For A Child program.

In September, 2011 the diabetes community will have a ONCE IN A GENERATION opportunity to appeal our case in front of worldwide leaders during the UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD's.) before the opening of the main UN General Assembly Session.  The UN Summit on NCD's has the potential to secure commitment from Heads of Government for a coordinated global response to NCD's, substantially increase financial resources, and save millions of people from premature death and debilitating health complications.  (NCD's include the following:  cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease.)

For a tangible reference, please consider that The HIV/AIDS Special Session held in 2001 resulted in a Heads of State Declaration of Commitment that paved the way for an urgent international response.  It also lead the way to a Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria.  It was, most definitely, a turning point in the epidemic.

We, the diabetes community at large, are being called upon to step up and ACT NOW.  We need the voices of every single person from every corner of the globe who has ever been affected by any type of diabetes to join forces and create public outcry and RAGE about diabetes.  We will have only ONE chance to dialog with world leaders and Heads of States in September 2011.  IDF has the arguments, evidence and solutions ready, but WE must respond to their call to action if the Summit is going to be successful.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1)  Sign and share the "I AGREE" petition by clicking on the link.  IDF has a goal of reaching (at least) ONE MILLION clicks to this page before September 2011.  Now, I KNOW us social media types can make that happen!!!!  While you're there, be sure to grab a badge so others can check it out as well!

2)  Talk about the burden of diabetes and the risks of complications to anyone and everyone, including your local government leaders.  Be relentless in this effort and do NOT allow diabetes to be viewed as something that can be passed over as something that does not require massive global attention.

3)  Stay tuned to Candy Hearts.  I will make every effort to provide timely information as it becomes available on this united journey to the UN Summit on NCD's.  You can connect with Candy Hearts on Facebook and/or subscribe to posts by entering your email address in the box near the top, right hand side of the page.

Act on Diabetes.  NOW.

1 person dies from diabetes EVERY 8 seconds.

"No country is immune to diabetes. No country has all the answers to this common enemy. No country has yet managed to reverse the rising prevalence. Defeating diabetes will take every ounce of commitment and ingenuity that we can summon."    Jean Claude Mbanya, IDF President

PLEASE HELP SAVE THE LIFE OF A CHILD WITH DIABETES