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Diabetes circles take over Cape Town

06 Dec 2006 19:24

Thousands upon thousands of blue diabetes circles are visible all over Cape Town. The blue diabetes circle represents the campaign for a United Nations Resolution on diabetes and has fast become the global symbol for diabetes (in much the same way as the red ribbon represents HIV/AIDS). The icon stands for unity in diabetes and symbolizes support for the campaign for a United Nations Resolution on diabetes. The circles are being distributed in their tens of thousands during IDF's 19th World Diabetes Congress. The congress is Africa’s largest-ever diabetes event.

Most of the over 12,000 congress delegates can be seen throughout the city wearing the diabetes symbol.

The new President of the International Diabetes Federation, Martin Silink made an impassioned appeal to the global diabetes community gathered in Cape Town. "IDF has declared war on diabetes. This blue circle is our banner - the standard under which we fight. I would like it to become as well known as the red ribbon."

The concept

From the outset, IDF looked for simplicity in order to facilitate widespread reproduction and use of the symbol by anyone who wishes to support the campaign: Something so simple that a child could draw it with a crayon. The icon can be replicated at low cost and integrated readily into any diabetes campaign.

The choice of shape

Circles occur frequently in nature and have thus been used symbolically since the dawn of civilization. The circle is the sun, the moon, and the stars that guide us; it is the first ripple in the pond. The significance of the circle is overwhelmingly positive. Across cultures, the circle symbolizes life, mother earth and health. Most significantly for the campaign, the circle signifies unity. The global diabetes community must come together to support a United Nations Resolution on diabetes. Our combined strength is the key element that makes this campaign so special.

The choice of colour

The blue border of the circle reflects the colour of the sky under which we all stand and is the same colour as the flag of the United Nations. Indeed, the organization is itself a symbol of unity amongst nations. It is the only body that can signal to governments everywhere that it is time to reverse the global diabetes epidemic that threatens economic advancement and causes so much suffering.

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