November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and, as diabetes educators, there is so much we can do to get involved! The beginning of November kicks off a month full of events and activities uniting communities across the world to bring awareness and advocacy to diabetes. We can truly impact those we serve by leading the way and making it a month to remember. Need some ideas on how to get involved and get PWD engaged? Check it out:
• AADE kicks off Diabetes Awareness Month with National Diabetes Education Week, November 2-8. The week is marked with a series of social media initiatives that will call attention to the important role diabetes educators play in helping people with diabetes manage their condition.
• AADE encourages diabetes educators to share their stories, tips and personal successes using #DEWorks.
• November 14 is World Diabetes Day (WDD). Led by the International Diabetes Federation, the day unites the global diabetes community to produce a powerful voice for diabetes awareness and advocacy. ‘Off to the Right Start,’ Healthy Living and Diabetes is the World Diabetes Day theme for 2014-2016. This year’s activities and materials focus on the importance of starting the day with a healthy breakfast.
• Go BLUE! Consider wearing blue throughout the month to honor diabetes awareness. WDD 2014 is being marked all over the world by hosting an BLUE event (think of blue lighting, blue statues—virtually any creative way to go BLUE!
• Join social media efforts. Check out Facebook groups, follow Twitter feed, watch YouTube videos and check out flickr photos. Hashtag to your heart’s content and jump on the social media bandwagon!
• Get involved and STAY involved. As diabetes educators, every month is about diabetes in our field. Find an interest and support an effort this November, but don’t stop there—keep it going the entire year. Become active in local, state or national chapters of JDRF or ADA and be a voice in the diabetes community that stays strong long after the month of November has passed each year.