Midwest Diabetes Advocacy Group calling for support this World Diabetes Day

Midwest Diabetes Advocacy Group call for support on 2023 World Diabetes Day

Midwest Diabetes Advocacy Group are calling on the people of Limerick to show their support for 2023 World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2023

The Midwest Diabetes Advocacy Group is a local voluntary advocacy and peer support group for people with diabetes who campaign for better diabetes services in Limerick.

The group are calling on people from Limerick and across the region to “turn the Midwest blue” in a bid to raise awareness about diabetes and to help make a difference in the lives of those impacted.

Asking people to join their event, go blue, or sign up for the group’s pledge, the group have given ways people can play their part.

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Jean Langford of MidWest Diabetes Advocacy Group told I Love Limerick, “Raising awareness about diabetes is not just about spreading knowledge; it’s about spreading compassion and understanding.”

“For those living with diabetes, that means breaking down the barriers of stigma and fostering a supportive and inclusive community that people with all types of diabetes feel welcome to at all times.”

Jean explained it also gives the opportunity to empower people who may not have a great understanding of diabetes:

“For those who may not know much about diabetes, it means empowering them with the knowledge and trusting them with our stories of our lived experience to be more empathetic towards the challenges that people with diabetes face every day.”

Langford explained the group’s primary goals include advocating for funding and access to specialised diabetes care and services for people living in the MidWest.

“Making people with diabetes aware of what they’re entitled to, making the public aware of the risk of developing any type of diabetes, and making those in power aware of what we as people with diabetes need, are collectively essential in our advocacy efforts,” she said. 

By taking part in the Midwest Diabetes Advocacy Group event, participants can join the walk & run to see The Strand Hotel light up BLUE in support. Taking place on November 14, the group will meet at the corner of Sarsfield Bridge in front of The Strand Hotel 7pm, walking or running the Three Bridges route and seeing the Strand Hotel turn blue at 7:15 pm.

To cap off the walk & run, participants will end up at Crew Brew from 8:30pm which is all going blue to support World Diabetes Day and will host an after-party.

The group is calling on “people living with diabetes, their family, friends, press and local politicians to come along and mark the day.”

On World Diabetes Day, the group is asking everyone to sign the pledge to #EndDiabetesStigma to thereby improve diabetes services and #AccessToCare – which is the theme of World Diabetes Day 2023 – at the University Hospital of Limerick for people with diabetes.

You can sign the pledge to end diabetes stigma here and the group asks people to https://enddiabetesstigma.org/about/ post the graphic on the confirmation page of them signing the pledge to their social media saying:

“On World Diabetes Day 2023 we signed the pledge to #EndDiabetesStigma in support of the efforts by Midwest Diabetes Advocacy group to promote this global campaign.”

Speaking on behalf of the group, Jean Langford highlighted the need for a national diabetes register as “it’s estimated diabetes impacts 1 in 10 people, however out of 2 people in 20 – 1 person is walking around undiagnosed”.

She continued, “In terms of the care delivered; Ireland has been ranked in the 4th and lowest quartile for quality of care for PwD by a study published in the European Journal of Public Health in 2018.

“We don’t have adequate access to the technology and tools we need, and we don’t have adequate diabetes services; awareness around diabetes and the necessary care and services required are the first steps towards a healthier and more inclusive Ireland.”

You can also support World Diabetes Day by ‘going blue’, the Midwest Diabetes Advocacy Group call on individuals and businesses to wear blue for November 14 and calling on businesses to shine blue lights on the day.

For more information about the event, Midwest Diabetes Advocacy group and #AccessToCare campaign visit here 

or email: [email protected]

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