World Diabetes Day Luncheon

Community Share Your Stories
1

There are a lot of different ways people celebrate World Diabetes Day, this year I decided to participate and be a part of the planning committee of a luncheon at Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center. I have volunteered at the health center since the age of 9. Nina Howard is the Director of Community Relations at Samuel U. Rodgers; they have 3 luncheons a year (Breast Cancer, Heart Health and Diabetes). This year she wants to focus on Diabetes Awareness, Education and Control. She asked me for my help. I agreed to help, I asked the Diabetes Online Community for their help.

On November 13, 2009, I will walk into a room decorated with white walls, blue table clothes, and white candles w/ blue ribbon, in the middle of the table there will be a collage with faces of all of my brothers and sisters from diabetes online community. When the attendee’s enter the facility, they will be given World Diabetes Day Ribbons; they will be asked to hold them in their hand until everyone arrives. Before the welcome we will ask everyone to stand and ask them to pin the ribbon on in honor of a person with diabetes. There will be a Guest Speaker, Type 1, Type 2, Type 1.5/LADA, Gestational and Type 3 tell their stories on how diabetes has affected them and how they control it. The attendees will be given gift bags for coming to the event and leave with a better understanding of what it’s like to live with diabetes and simple ways to control it. I will be able to walk away with my head held high knowing someone’s life might change.

There are over 300, 000 people touched by diabetes in the Greater Kansas City area. The need for education and awareness is long overdue; I know there are other cities in the United States who are in the situation. I challenge you to go out into your community, wear blue, light a candle, paint a sign to show your support and spread diabetes awareness. I challenge you to educate at least one person in your community about diabetes and World Diabetes Day.
We are only one voice but if we scream loud enough we will be heard.

Be Blessed
Cherise

2

Thanks for posting this Cherise. I am often amazed at how quiet it is here in KC about diabetes. Last year, National Diabetes Awareness Month got some attention, but World Diabetes Day got exactly ZERO playtime. It seems the ADA and JDRF have almost zero presence. Yet I did get a nice color brochure from the local JDRF this year that had lots of pictures of some huge gala dinner they had somewhere… sometime…

I was thinking about contacting the downtown Marriott Hotel. They display various patterns of lights on the side of the hotel for the 4th of July, Christmas, Halloween, etc and seeing if they would be interested in doing something for WDD.

3

Scott,

It amazes me too! it’s a shame but I think it’ll change soon:) The Marriott would be awesome lit up in blue. I know they change they turn their building green for Saint Patty’s day. If you need any help with anything let me know. Btw, do you think you’ll be able to make the luncheon? I would like to meet you:)

4

I’d like to meet you too! As far as I know, I should be able to make it. Who should I contact for more info?