Are you ready for Diabetes Awareness Week 2020?

Diabetes Awareness Week is held in June every year and in 2020 it is the week of 8-14^th June. The week aims to spread awareness of diabetes and raise funds to support the vital work of Diabetes UK.

The goal of Diabetes Awareness Week is to increase general awareness of diabetes, and encourages people to share their experiences of living with the condition. Diabetes UK also aims to highlight what changes people can make to their lifestyles in order to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes UK has a long history of campaigning. It was founded in 1934 by the writer H.G Wells and Dr R.D. Lawrence, both of whom were diabetic. Diabetes affects more people in the UK than any other serious health condition. There are 4.8 million Type 1 sufferers and an estimated 12.3 million people that are potential Type 2 diabetics.

The theme of last year’s event was to tackle the stigma felt by many people with all types of diabetes. By sharing facts about the condition, Diabetes Awareness Week tries to make people regard diabetes differently. Here are five facts everyone should know:

1. One in 15 people has diabetes.
2. There are different types. Type 1 and 2 are the main types, but there are also rare types.
3. Anyone can get diabetes. It doesn’t discriminate.
4. Diabetes means daily checking of blood sugar levels and making decisions to handle your health.
5. Diabetes does not mean that life stops. It might make life harder in some ways, but it doesn’t have to change your ambitions or dreams for the future.

For more information on the work of Diabetes UK and Diabetes Awareness Week, visit the website.