World Diabetes Day in Turkey

The Turkish Diabetes Association also organised a series of events in November, to raise awareness of diabetes, under the theme of Protect Your Family.

This included the creation of a 25-second video about the risk factors and symptoms of type 2 diabetes. The video was shown in the public transport system during the week of 11-17 November. Leaflets on the same theme were also distributed in various public places.

On November 8 and 9 respectively, footballers from two Turkish football league teams, Kasimpasa and Sivasspor, entered the field carrying a banner saying Diabetes: Protect your family.

Two information desks were also set up in busy Istanbul places –Kadikoy and Uskudar – where a specialist doctor and nurse told people about diabetes and conducted a test to ascertain their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. To emphasise the importance of exercise in the management of diabetes, an exercise bike was placed at those locations. Zumba sessions were also conducted during the events.

• Meetings were also organised in collaboration with various district municipalities, which were attended by close to 1200 people.
• On November 15, the Turkish Diabetes Association walked through Beyoglu, a famous and busy street in Istanbul.
• The Galata Tower, a famous historic building, was lit up in blue on both November 14 and 15.
• Our running team, TEAM1, attended the Istanbul Marathon on November 3, with the team forming a Blue Circle before they started to run.

Overall, from November 1 to 25, 13,250 people took the diabetes risk test, and events received coverage in 296 different media channels.