#DiabetesLooksLikeMe

We can’t keep quiet about diabetes any longer. It’s costing us our lives. Join us in South Africa’s largest diabetes stigma campaign to show that diabetes doesn’t discriminate: #DiabetesLooksLikeMe.

Diabetes stigma in South Africa

Diabetes stigma might seem like a minor problem – people making bad jokes about getting diabetes, or acting weird around injections. But the reality is that South Africa has a huge diabetes stigma problem, and it’s contributing to the fact that 1 in 2 South Africans with diabetes are undiagnosed. Which contributes directly to the fact that diabetes is the number 1 killer of women and number 2 killer of men in our country.

It’s time to change the face of diabetes in South Africa.

How? By showing that diabetes doesn’t just affect one kind of person. It looks like me – and you, and all these other people. By bringing diabetes into the spotlight: online, in person and in the media. By dispelling the myths and misinformation around diabetes.

Together, we can show that #DiabetesLooksLikeMe.

Join #DiabetesLooksLikeMe to end diabetes stigma

How can you get involved?

1. Share the video

We asked our community to take part in a communal #DiabetesLooksLikeMe video, and they responded! Please share this video far and wide.

2. Post a selfie

On Wednesday 14th May, post a selfie on social media with the hashtag #DiabetesLooksLikeMe so we can flood social media with images of so many different people, all living with diabetes.

3. Educate others

Share information about diabetes and stigma with your friends and family. Here’s a one-page fact sheet that you can share with friends, family and your workplace. Either download to print, or forward on WhatsApp or email!

And here are some insights from you, our community of South Africans with Diabetes.

Diabetes stigma

Is there a stigma around living with diabetes?

Let’s talk about diabetes stigma

4. Share your story

We’ll be sharing your stories of diabetes stigma in South Africa on Instagram and Facebook. Stigma thrives in silence, and it’s so important to bring it out into the light. Please join us to share your story, see the video and be part of the campaign!

Let’s talk about diabetes stigma

Diabetes stigma can be hard to talk about. That’s why we’ve asked life coach Marina Wildt and diabetes advocate Sane Mazibuko to join us for a Facebook Live on Wednesday 28th May to answer all your questions about how stigma shows up for you in real life. Please join us!

In collaboration with:

Sponsors:

This campaign has been generously supported by many companies working with diabetes in South Africa. We couldn’t have done it without them, and we are deeply grateful for their support!

Diamond Sponsor:

Gold Sponsor:

Silver Sponsors:

What to read next?

Do you know the 5 symptoms of diabetes? Knowing the symptoms of diabetes is such important information. Once you understand what to look for, you’ll be able to share this knowledge with others.

Is there a stigma around living with diabetes? We asked our community about stigma – and you answered! Read about the lived experience of diabetes in South Africa here.

Let’s talk about diabetes stigma: This episode of our podcast explores the different kinds of stigma attached to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.