We all know the terrifying stats: Diabetes is the number one killer of women in South Africa, and the second leading cause of death in men. 1 in 2 people with diabetes is undiagnosed.
So what can we do?
South Africa needs a mass diabetes awareness drive. If we can lay the basic foundation this year, we can build on it in future years.
We want the whole of South Africa to wear blue on World Diabetes Day, Tuesday 14th November 2023. Why? So that every South African will know the 5 symptoms of diabetes.
One consistent message: #WearBlueforDiabetes & Know the 5
All we want to do this year is spark interest in why people are wearing blue, and share the 5 symptoms of diabetes.
That’s why we’ve created a series of social media shareables and printable posters – inviting people to take part, sharing the symptoms, and encouraging the whole of South Africa to wear blue for World Diabetes Day.
The 4 voices for this campaign – Helga Nefdt, Siyabonga Zuma, Bridget McNulty and Salih Hendricks – encompass 4 different lived experiences with diabetes. Type 1, Type 2, public private, young and old, male and female, with complications and without. We all have the same message.
Wear Blue & Know the 5
For the past two years, we’ve run very successful #WearBlueforDiabetes campaigns, focused predominantly on schools and businesses in the diabetes space. This year we’re going much bigger.
We’re inviting:
- 20 schools in each province to take part: students in 180 schools to wear blue and learn the 5 symptoms of diabetes.
- Over 70 companies – including big chains – to encourage their staff to wear blue and support diabetes in SA by knowing the 5 symptoms.
- Every TV and radio presenter in the country to wear blue and explain that it’s so that all South Africans will know the 5 symptoms of diabetes.
- Social media influencers in the health and diabetes space to join #WearBlueforDiabetes & Know the 5
- Health departments in every province.
- Public figures: Mayors, Premiers and even the President!
How to get involved
Share share share!
We want the whole of South Africa to #WearBlueforDiabetes & Know the 5!
Right-click or press down to save these for sharing. If you want to link for others to get involved, please include www.sweetlife.org.za/wear-blue-for-diabetes
Don’t forget! Use #WearBlueforDiabetes so that we can share your posts.
Get your school / company / organisation involved
Is your school / company / organisation wearing blue for diabetes? Please tell us so we can support them and share their posts!