While Diabetes Awareness Month is more prevalent in America, every year, the diabetes community comes together to raise awareness for diabetes. November has been the designated month for diabetes awareness since 1975.

Diabetes is a condition that falls into two main types, but both cause higher than normal blood glucose levels, which, if left untreated, can cause serious problems.

There are 2 main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2.

You may be familiar with the blue circle, an IDF symbol for diabetes, which is also used for World Diabetes Day.

World Diabetes Day is the milestone of Diabetes Awareness Month, which is on November 14.

World Diabetes Day remembers an essential date in the diabetes calendar because it marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin, Frederick Banting, alongside his companion Charles Best.

Get involved with Diabetes Awareness Month:

• Get active on social media with the hashtag #DiabetesAwarenessMonth
• Join in the chat on the Diabetes Forum
• Celebrities with diabetes
• Pioneers of diabetes

Wow! What a day! Over 140 children with

type 1 diabetes
travelled to the home of West Ham United, the Boleyn Ground, on 21st August for the first ever

Around U Soccer Skills Day.

Arriving from all over southern England, including one group from the Isle of Wight, the children came accompanied by parents and siblings. Met in reception by a team from Diabetes.co.uk handing out ready-made Umbro football shirts, and a team from Bayer Diabetes Care doing the registration, the day started early.

Parents were guided through to front-row seating in the Boleyn Ground, whilst children were shown to the dressing rooms by experienced members of the West Ham Youth Academy training team. The children, all of whom have type 1 diabetes, changed into their football gear and then came out onto the pitch, where six DSNs (Diabetes Specialist Nurses), alongside the West Ham medics, made sure everything was running smoothly.

The kids were then led onto the pitch and divided into groups by the West Ham Youth Academy team of coaches, including Director and former West Ham player Tony Carr. Type 1 diabetes proved no barrier to competitive spirit and quality soccer skills, with a number of the children obviously football fans and making the most of the opportunity to play in the West Ham stadium.

As a club, West Ham United has an amazing history stretching back over 100 years. Since the 1960s, the West Ham United Youth Academy has consistently produced homegrown talents and turned them into world-class football stars. The kids were treading in the footsteps of some of the greatest footballers ever as they came out of the tunnel and onto the pitch. The coaches focused on building skills amongst the players, and after some time on the pitch, everyone welcomed a break for lunch, put on by West Ham caterers.

Following their meal, the children went back for a second coaching session, ending up with refereed matches in which some serious football skill was witnessed. The children were then given individual soccer skills passports by the coaches, and after getting changed in the first team dressing room, were given a gift bag provided by Bayer Diabetes Care and Diabetes.co.uk. The bag contained a mini Around U football, a pe, antiseptic wipes, a mousemat and more great gifts for the kids.

The children and parents left the ground looking tired but happy. The first Around U Soccer Skills day was a fantastic event at which a number of youngsters with type 1 diabetes pushed themselves and learned more about football skills.

As usual, the scale and diversity of Diabetes Week events are really exciting, with UK wide fundraisers pulling out all the stops.

Diabetes Week is a truly nationwide phenomeno, with events happening the length and breadth of the UK. Check out the events below to see just how varied it gets!.

Diabetes Week 2022 Events

Diabetes Week 2022 events include:

World Record Attempt

On Monday 11th of June, Diabetes UK will be aiming to set a world record for the most waist circumference measurements taken in 8 hours.

To take part in the world record attempt, get down to London’s Southbank between 8.30am and 4.30pm at the Observation Point, Gabriel’s Wharf.

Throw a party

Don’t throw away all the knick knacks from the Jubilee Weekend, you can put those tablecloths to good use again for a Diabetes Week party.

Parachuting and Skydiving

Hundreds of people around the UK will be taking part in charity skydiving for Diabetes UK Jump this June!.

Swimming events

The Great East Swim in Suffolk is happening on Saturday 16th June. Cheer on those that are taking part for diabetes charities.

Bike Rides

Bike rides are a great way to celebrate Diabetes Week 2022.

This year, numerous cycling events are taking place all over the country. Diabetes Week cycling events include the Arran Bike’n’Hike Challenge. You can either choose to cycle 55 miles around the Isle of Arran or climb Goat Fell, the island’s highest peak at nearly 3,000 feet high.

For those in or around London, take part in the Night Rider event, which is a charity bike ride at night.

Sponsored Walks

One of the core fundraising events for Diabetes Week, sponsored walks will take place in many locations throughout the UK. Every one, no matter how small, will help to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK.

Most sponsored walks are free to enter and have an inclusive, family atmosphere.

Walk for Diabetes

This type of event takes the place of Walk the Extra Mile from last year. Walk for Diabetes events take place in beautiful areas such as Evesham.

Awareness Promotion

Community awareness events are typically held in partnership with public bodies, to promote and raise awareness of how serious diabetes can be.

Zip Slide

If you’re in Newcastle on Sunday 17, look out for the 230m zip slide taking place across the Tyne from the Tyne Bridge.

Over 100 children and young people living with diabetes will today attend a special Soccer School run by West Ham United’s Youth Academy director Tony Carr, who himself was diagnosed with diabetes in 2005.

Read the
post match report.

Information about the Around U Soccer Skills Day

The Around U Soccer Skills Day, run in association with West Ham United Football Club and sponsored by Bayer Diabetes Care and Diabetes.co.uk, will include coaching sessions from Tony and his team, and parents can get the lowdown on diabetes from experts.

Good control will be the theme for the day. It is vital that people with diabetes keep close control of their blood glucose levels to ensure that they remain healthy and can live life to the full. Tony and his team of Youth Academy coaches will be teaching the skills to keep a football under control while parents will have the chance to meet other families living with diabetes – and of course watch their
children play!

Tony Carr, Youth Academy director at West Ham United, who has been living with
Type 2 diabetes for the past three years, said:

“I hope that, by offering this once in a lifetime opportunity to train and play football in exactly the same way as our elite players, we can show these young people that having diabetes should not be a barrier to living a normal healthy life.“

Tony continues:

“Being healthy and fit, eating the right foods and properly managing your condition means there is
no reason to fear diabetes”

The young people attending the event were selected by diabetes specialist nurses from around the area and invited to attend the soccer skills day at West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground, Upton Park. Approximately one in seven school-aged children has diabetes.

David Holyoak, Director of Diabetes.co.uk who are co-sponsoring the event, comments:

“There is a considerable amount of information available on diabetes but sometimes first hand experience and hands on advice can make a big difference for people living with diabetes.

Diabetes.co.uk is proud to co-sponsor this Around U Sports
event that allows young footballers with diabetes to enjoy unprecedented access to the facilities at West Ham United and for young people and their parents to receive information about living with diabetes from people who really understand the condition. We’re grateful to Tony Carr, West Ham United and lead sponsor Bayer Diabetes Care for helping to realise this exciting opportunity.”

Each year, campaigning around Diabetes Week changes slightly.

Campaigns vary each year, but the essential nature of Diabetes Week is generally to make more people aware of what diabetes is.

In addition, the aim is to dispel

diabetes myths
and provide people with diabetes with a voice.

Campaigning for awareness

Diabetes UK campaigns on behalf of people with diabetes, and although Diabetes Week is firmly focused on having fun, there’s a serious message behind the scenes.

The

Diabetes Week
2022 theme is about making a connection with others with diabetes. This includes

discussing diabetes with other people
with diabetes to share experiences.

The point is to help you to help others in your life to understand what it means to actually have diabetes.

This Diabetes Week theme may include

family and friends
Although they may know you have the condition, how much do they really know about diabetes?

Helping understanding

Diabetes Week this year focuses on connecting with people about your diabetes.

How and what…

Diabetes Week this year focuses on how and what to tell people about your diabetes.

This may include what diabetes means to you,

what a hypo is
and what to do, what treatment you are taking and much more.

Just because you’ve got diabetes, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a wide range of sports.

This was the message given to nearly two hundred youngsters from across the UK during August, who attended

Soccer Skills Days at the Liverpool FC Academy

(8th August) and West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground (27th August).

– Read about
Talk about Around U Soccer Skills Day in the forum

– Read the report from

Around U Soccer Skills Day: Liverpool

The

Around U Sports Soccer Skills Days

, run in association with the Liverpool FC Academy and West Ham United and sponsored by Bayer Diabetes Care and Diabetes.co.uk, included soccer skills training from each Club’s Academy coaching staff, plus a talk from the UK’s number one freeride snowboarder,

Chris Southwell

, who also has diabetes, on how this life-long condition shouldn’t prevent children leading full and active lives.

This was the second year running the event was held at West Ham’s Boleyn Ground, receiving the seal of approval from first team manager, Gianfranco Zola and assistant coach, Steve Clarke, who were firmly behind the decision to give the youngsters a once in a lifetime opportunity to play on the pitch.

“Football creates a real passion in children which can help nurture team working, confidence building a most of all, gives them a great day out, full of fun,” says Gianfranco Zola.

“We are more than happy to support events like this, which goes to show that having diabetes doesn’t have to stand in the way of your dreams.”

Professors Neil Hanley and Rayaz Malik from the University of Manchester, and Dr Tim Tree, from King’s College London, all representing Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), spoke to parents and guardians at both events, about the charity’s research programmen, including specific projects such as the artificial pancreas, plus more general information on how JDRF funds its research.

Event organisation

Good control, on and off the pitch, was the theme of both days. For people living with diabetes, it is essential they keep control of their blood glucose levels to ensure they remain healthy. On the pitches, coaches from Liverpool FC Academy and West Ham’s Academy, under the guidance of Phil MacDiarmid from Liverpool, and Tony Carr from West Ham, helped the children keep a football under control while their parents learnt how they can support their child, with regular monitoring.

Tony Carr, West Ham

Tony Carr, West Ham Youth Academy director, who was himself diagnosed with diabetes in 2005, comments:  “It’s always a pleasure to host children who have a real passion for the game and from what I saw today, some of the players demonstrated excellent ball skills. I was very impressed with how every one of today’s players handled their condition, on and off the pitch. It was a pleasure to be involved again.”

Diabetes.co.uk

David Holyoak, commercial director, Diabetes.co.uk, comments: “Diabetes.co.uk provides fast access to reliable diabetes information and latest web technologies including ‘myLifestyle’ online to help adults and children manage their diabetes more easily and freely.

We are delighted that the children and their parents have enjoyed the Around U Soccer Skills Days at Liverpool and West Ham and are glad to play our part in helping to make this happy occasion possible for so many children.”

All the young people attending the Around U events at Liverpool FC Academy and West Ham were able to purchase Bayer Diabetes Care’s new Didget meter, the first and only blood glucose monitoring system which connects directly to Nintendo DS and DS Lite gaming sytems.

It helps children manage their diabetes by rewarding them for consistent testing habits.  More information on Didget can be found via www.bayerdidget.co.uk

Each year, Diabetes Week is supported by a number of celebrities who may take part in a walk or sponsored ru, or help to influence fundraising by supporting a particular event.

Why do celebrities take part?

Celebrities either partake in Diabetes Week because they have diabetes themselves, or because they support a good cause.

Talking about diabetes, the theme of this year, strikes a particular chord with celebrity Joe Pasquale.

English comedian Joe, star of ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ and TV host, is supporting Diabetes Week this year.

He was reported in diabetes news as commenting:  “Learning to live with diabetes can be challenging, and the emotional and psychological impact it can have can influence how well it’s managed.”

Continuing, Pasquale stated “This is a critical issue as, without proper management, diabetes can lead to blindness,

heart disease

,

stroke

and amputation. It’s vital that people receive the emotional support they need to effectively manage their diabetes. That’s why during Diabetes Week Diabetes UK is raising awareness of the importance of talking about diabetes, and what better way to do this than by encouraging everyone across the UK to hold a Big Diabetes Week Quiz.”

Joe praised the

Diabetes UK Careline

service, highlighting just how vital the information and emotional support provided by Careline really is for people with diabetes.

• See a list of
  
  famous people with diabetes
  

With a focus on community, family and fun,

Walk for Diabetes

events are your opportunity to raise funds for the

Diabetes UK

Where does Walk for Diabetes take place?

Diabetes Week – Walk for Diabetes events will take place all over the UK, with listings by region.

People who wish to take part in the Walk for Diabetes events simply need to complete a fast online registration form, and a local race organiser will provide more information.

Whether it’s a short stroll in aid of diabetes or a hill climb, people are also encouraged to launch their own Walk for Diabetes events.

They don’t have to be big or even public events. Walks for diabetes can take place in

school

, during

work

, or even as part of your daily life.

Organising your own walk?

People who are interested in organising their own walk are encouraged to get in touch with Diabetes UK.

Walk for Diabetes events will take place in the Midlands, South West, Scotland, London, South East and in many other areas of the UK.

Read responses to our diabetes petition and add your name to the petition below (should you choose to). You can also talk about this petition in the
diabetes forum.

More Information

• If you would like us to start a petitio, or have a complaint that could become a petition,
  please mention it in the
  
  forum
  

Every year, fundraising may be dedicated to a specific area, with a goal to hit for a successful week.

This year, donations will help Diabetes UK to continue their ever-deepening

research into the causes of diabetes

with the ultimate goal of preventing and, one day, curing the condition entirely.

Why should I help fundraise?

With the help of fundraisers, Diabetes UK continues to provide support for children and families.

The Diabetes UK Careline, the particular focus of diabetes fundraising during Diabetes Week 2011, helps thousands of people with diabetes each week by providing essential information and emotional support.

Research by Diabetes UK has shown that one of the most important aspects of care for people with diabetes is the ability to reach out for advice from a trained professional.

In this field, the Diabetes UK Careline is absolutely vital.

Receiving 30,000 calls, letters and emails each year shows just how effective Diabetes Careline is in helping people.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the

leading UK charity

for Type 1 diabetes. As part of it’s educational programme it runs regular Discovery Days up and down the country. The events are suitable for families to attend as a whole – they can share information with others affected by type 1 diabetes.

At these days members of JDRF talk about the latest developments in type 1 diabetes research. Those who attend can hear updates from leading type 1

diabetes researchers

, many of whom are funded by JDRF. In addition, there will be a speech from someone inspirational who is living with type 1.

At each of the events, which are held on Saturdays so that

kids can attend with their parents

or carers, there are opportunities to chat to JDRF staff and

meet other families

affected by type 1 diabetes.

During the talks the kids will be entertained with a craft workshop (with a variety of activities for different ages) and afterwards families can spend the rest of the day, free of charge, in Eureka.

The Eureka! Children’s Museum is in Halifax town centre.

• Places are limited so register via email
  
  north@jdrf.org.uk
  

Type 1 Discovery Day dates

Attend a Type 1 Discovery Day on the following dates:

• 
  7 May
  
  – Hampden Park Stadium, Glasgow
• 
  7 May
  
  – Puxton Park, Weston-Super-Mare
• 
  21 May
  
  – National Space Centre, Leicester
• 
  21 May
  
  – Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke

Diabetes doesn’t have to be a barrier to athletic achievement. The Around U Sports Soccer Skills Days, organised by Bayer Diabetes Care and Diabetes.co.uk, are all about encouraging children with diabetes to realise their potential and not let their diabetes hold them back. Following on from the success of the

West Ham United event

last August, Diabetes.co.uk went to Liverpool expecting great things – and we weren’t disappointed!

The Around U Sports Soccer Skills Day on 08/08/09 was run in association with Liverpool Football Club Academy, and sponsored by Bayer Diabetes Care and Diabetes.co.uk. Over 100 children with

type 1 diabetes

, accompanied by almost 200 parents and siblings, arrived shortly after 9am to start their day. The day gives children the opportunity to get soccer skills training from Academy coaching staff, and play on the same training pitch used by their heroes.

This year, as well as the football training, the children were given a talk by

professional snowboarder Chris Southwell

, who has type 1 diabetes. His condition hasn’t stopped him living his dream, and this was the message he passed on to children. Representatives of the

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

, Professors Neil Hanley and Rayaz Malik, gave a fascinating talk to a packed house of parents and guardians. Understanding diabetes research can be really important for parents, and these educational speeches provided real insight into how the JDRF helps.

Out on the pitches intense training was underway! But a spirit of fun prevailed throughout. The youngsters played outdoors whilst the older children played on the Academy Astroturf, with the coaches running through a variety of soccer skills. The children were following in grand footsteps – both Michael Owen and Steven Gerard started their careers at the academy. The children remembered Academy Coach Phil MacDiarmid’s words to remember the ‘Liverpool Way’ – and held their heads high as they played a series of set piece skills exercises.

‘

Don’t let diabetes stand in your way

’ was the theme of the day, and the children focused on immaculate control – on and off the ball. For

children with type 1 diabetes

, good

blood glucose

control is particularly important for ongoing health.

The Academy coaches were well briefed, and delighted in imparting their skills to the eager youngsters. Not only that, there were some genuine skills on the pitch, with many of the kids obviously passionate about football.

Over 25,000 young people under the age of 18 have type 1 diabetes, so support networks are particularly important. This kind of event helps to connect children with peers in a similar situation, not to mention providing support and reassurance. Furthermore, parents were able to talk with each other, and learn from the JDRF speeches. The children, who were selected for the event by

Diabetes Specialist Nurses

from around the country, had the benefit of meeting and sharing a day with over a hundred others.

Diabetes.co.uk were delighted to co-sponsor the event, which helps to promote the Bayer Diabetes Care Around U programme – launched in July 2008 to support children and young people living with diabetes. With the next Around U Sports Soccer Skills Day on 27th August at West Ham United, we are really excited to be playing a part in making such a great day possible for so many children.

Part of our mission is to help the diabetic community in any way we can. As an individual, protesting an issue can be difficult, which is why we have set up the ability for diabetics to start petitions using our site.

Perhaps with a collective voice, the diabetic community can have greater influence on common problems, not to mention public policy. Sign our petition below.

Diabetes Week is an annual UK-wide initiative devoted to raising awareness of diabetes and raising money to help fund research into the condition.

Set up by British charity group Diabetes UK, this special week is now the annual focal point for all of the charity’s diabetes awareness, campaigning and fundraising activities.

What is Diabetes.co.uk doing for Diabetes Week 2023?

Diabetes Week 2023 takes place from 12 to 18 June.

Countdown to Diabetes Week 2023

Diabetes Week is an annual nationwide event and will see a massive range of community events, challenges, races and walks and much more.

This year’s theme is all about celebrating you!

Living with diabetes is no easy feat, whether it’s having to keep a constant eye on your blood sugar, being able to eat your favourite foods or remembering to take your daily amount of insulin. At times these things may seem habitual, while at other times they may be challenging, but each day you’re doing them and that’s something worth talking about

We want to hear your inspiring stories about living with diabetes, and we’ll be picking our favourites to be featured across the website.

Perhaps you took on the ultimate challenge and didn’t let your condition hold you back, or maybe you’ve done something slightly more abstract and channelled your diabetes creatively.

Whatever it is, it’s time to put a stop to those myths flying around and show people what living with diabetes is really all about!

Submit your own story or read previous stories from our members here.

Find out more

Stay tuned to the Facebook, Twitter and Forum to see us showing examples of how the DCUK community are supporting each other when it comes to diabetes, life… and everything else

We will also be raising awareness of diabetes through our Facebook and Twitter pages and offering discounts and special offers on products designed to help make the lives of people with diabetes easier throughout the week.

Comprising hundreds of campaigns, activities, screenings, lecture, meetings and more, World Diabetes Day is proving internationally effective in spreading the message about diabetes and raising awareness for the condition.

World Diabetes Day is internationally recognised and is an official United Nations Day.

World Diabetes Day

Each year, World Diabetes Day, which is co-ordinated by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), carries a particular theme. To learn more about World Diabetes Day, visit
worlddiabetesday.org

World Diabetes Day 2025

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2025 is Diabetes and Wellbeing.

Who introduced World Diabetes Day?

World Diabetes Day was jointly introduced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The global diabetes awareness campaign was introduced amidst concern over an escalating diabetes epidemic.

Why is November 14th World Diabetes Day?

November 14th is a significant date in the diabetes calendar because it marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin,
Frederick Banting. Banting discovered insulin in 1922, alongside
Charles Best.

World Diabetes Day logo

The logo of World Diabetes Day is a blue circle, and this is recognised by hundreds of thousands of people with diabetes throughout the world.

World Diabetes Day (which is a separate from
Diabetes Week, a UK-wide event) is a truly international event, and having a distinctive logo is an essential part of spreading the message about diabetes to as wide audience as possible.

Where is World Diabetes Day celebrated?

World Diabetes Day is celebrated throughout the world. A truly global event, World Diabetes Day occurs in over 200 diabetic member associations, in over 160 different countries. Further associations, medical professionals, and individuals all over the world join together to celebrate World Diabetes Day.

How do people celebrate World Diabetes Day?

World Diabetes Day is celebrated in a vast number of ways around the globe.

These include a range of activities and events, including:

• meetings and lectures to spread public information
• sporting events for adults and children
• television and radio programmes
• leaflet and poster campaigning
• exhibitions and conferences
• ..and much, much more!

World Diabetes Day blue buildings

Each World Diabetes Day famous buildings and monuments all over the world are lit up in blue. This powerful and striking image helps to spread the message about World Diabetes Day to diabetics and non-diabetics alike.

Famous buildings that have been lit up in the past on World Diabetes Day include the Sears Tower, the London Eye and Brisbane City Hall.

Read more

• Pioneers of diabetes
• Diabetes Week