Diabetes Association launches ‘socially-focused’ initiative for Diabetes Month
The vision of the American Diabetes Association is a life free of diabetes and all of its burdens. Raising awareness of this growing disease is one of the main efforts behind the mission of the association. American Diabetes Month is an important element in this effort, with programs designed to focus the nation’s attention on the issues surrounding diabetes and the many people who are impacted by the disease. This year, the association will launch a socially-focused initiative for American Diabetes Month to demonstrate the increasing impact diabetes has on our families and communities nationwide.
The campaign will encompass a host of online and offline program elements. At its core, the campaign is a call to action for individuals to take a public stand, via our social media channels and through American Diabetes Association online properties, to support the movement to stop diabetes. Using imagery, the power of social engagement and a larger-than-life stage, the association will shine a new light on the issue of diabetes and those who live with it each and every day, highlighting the association and corporations focused on stopping this insidious disease.
Starting on Oct. 1, the ADA has asked people to share a personal image on the Association’s Facebook page representing what “A Day in the Life of Diabetes” means to them. The image can be a picture of themselves or someone they care about, or otherwise represent how the disease impacts their lives. The image will then make up a larger mosaic image that will embody the message of “A Day in the Life of Diabetes.”
To encourage individuals to share photos of “A Day in the Life of Diabetes” on Facebook, CVS/pharmacy will donate $1 to the American Diabetes Association for every photo/image uploaded, up to $25,000. Learn how to share your personal image and story during American Diabetes Month by visiting facebook.com/AmericanDiabetesAssociation, www.stopdiabetes.com or by calling (800) DIABETES.
Throughout the month of November, the ADA also will engage their social media audience by highlighting images via Facebook and Twitter. They will pose thought-provoking questions, share success stories and messages from their network of followers, fans and high-profile celebrities. Read the ADA blog (www.diabetesstopshere.org) and follow the ADA on Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) to receive updates all month long.
To honor Diabetes Month, each article during November will be centered on diabetes. Stop by Skiff Medical Center and view the diabetes display located on the main floor near the courtyard and have your blood sugar checked between 3 and 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Newton Hy-Vee.
