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Awareness Campaign | UAE |
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Contest to raise awareness about diabetes through
art
(Dubai Health & News) People whose lives are affected by
diabetes are invited to share their experiences through art as part of a
global contest to raise awareness about diabetes. 'Inspired by
Diabetes', a collaboration between Eli Lilly and the International
Diabetes Federation's Unite for Diabetes initiative, aims to engage
people who have diabetes, as well as their family and friends, to
express how diabetes has impacted their lives.
The contest is being launched in the UAE with special prizes under the
patronage of the National Diabetes Committee, headed by her Excellency
Dr. Mariam Matar, Assistant Undersecretary of Preventive Medicine for
Public Health and Primary Health Care (PHC) of the Ministry of Health (MOH),
and the Emirates Diabetes Society, headed by Dr. Al Madani.
Inspired by Diabetes', is a unique way
of drawing attention to the global epidemic that affects nearly 250
million people worldwide. Here in the UAE, understanding diabetes is
especially important given that this country has the second highest rate
in the world per capita with one out of every five people aged 20 to 79
living with the disease.
"We are highly supportive of this
initiative and are actively engaged in spreading awareness about it. We
will encourage children and adults to participate in the local and
global contests of 'Inspired by Diabetes'," says Dr. Matar.
"Such initiatives are complementary to all the national programs
and efforts that we undertake to fight this disease across the
nation."
Dr. Al Madani also encourages people to
use their creative expressions to participate in 'Inspired by Diabetes'.
"We hope that this initiative will increase the awareness among the
population regarding the burden of this deadly disease."
'Inspired by Diabetes' is accepting
submissions in 4 categories, poetry, short essay, original painting and
photography.
The local judging panel will comprise
of representatives from the National Diabetes Committee, the Emirates
Diabetes Society, local artists and media. Winners will be announced in
the spring of 2008.
The contest is open to people of all
ages with diabetes, children, families and friends as well as healthcare
professionals. Prizes for the contest will be awarded across all format
categories.
"The spirit of the 'Inspired by
Diabetes' initiative is to bring families and people with diabetes
together to raise awareness of the global burden of this devastating
disease," says Fareed Patel, Eli Lilly's Area Manager for the Gulf
countries. "This campaign is important because it will help draw
particular attention to how diabetes inspires those people affected by
it. It will give them the chance to express their feelings through art
in its different forms."
Eli Lilly is running 'Inspired by
Diabetes' campaign in many countries across the Middle East.
For more information on the program,
rules and regulations and/or to download the submission form - visit www.inspiredbydiabetes-me.com. The deadline for submissions is January 20, 2008.
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