World Diabetes Day 2011
The lighting in blue of two significant buildings in Tasmania to mark World Diabetes Day was a first for this state.
The Global Monuments Challenge, an initiative of the International Diabetes Federation, encourages communities around the world to light up public buildings and monuments in blue to draw attention to the global impact of diabetes.
As a first for Tasmania, not just one but two public buildings were lit to mark the Day.
Holy Trinity Church Launceston and the Launceston Town Hall were both bathed in blue light.
Pictured above are (from the left) Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten, Tyler Claxton aged 12, Northern Diabetes Support Group Chairman Norm Andrews and Diabetes Tasmania Ambassador Guy Barnett.
12 year old Tyler developed type 1 diabetes earlier this year and was diagnosed on Australia Day. “It was pretty bad to begin with but you just get on with it” Tyler said. Type 1 diabetes develops after an auto immune response by the body results in permanent damage to the pancreas. It is not caused by poor diet or lifestyle and can affect everyone at any stage in life.
Former Tasmania senator and Diabetes Tasmania Ambassador Guy Barnett said the lighting of the buildings was a way to highlight and increase awareness of the 40,000 Tasmanians living with diabetes.
“We want to support all Tasmanians living with diabetes and make sure that all Tasmanians take the right measures to prevent developing the disease” Guy Barnett said.
Although type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented, Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said living a healthy lifestyle and getting at least 30 minutes exercise every day would help to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
For more information on World Diabetes Day please visit www.idf.org/worlddiabetesday/
