• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

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Stockton shines a light on Diabetes Awareness

World-diabetes-day-2014-logoSTOCKTON’s Riverside and High Street lighting will be illuminated blue this weekend in support of World Diabetes Day.

On Saturday 14 November, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council will change the town centre streetlights and the multi-coloured lighting along the Riverside so they glow blue in support of the national campaign.

World Diabetes Day, which is co-ordinated by the International Diabetes Federation, helps to spread the message about diabetes and raise awareness for the condition.

There are 9,353 people in Stockton Borough currently diagnosed with diabetes but recent estimates indicate there likely to be more than 1,500 people who are unaware they have the condition.

Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services, has diabetes. He said: “Sadly diabetes is a problem that is growing locally and nationally, largely connected to people’s lifestyles.

“Unchecked diabetes can cause serious health problems and it is important that we try and prevent it developing by encouraging people to take more exercise and eat healthily, as well as detecting it early so it can be controlled.

“We believe a significant number of people don’t know they have the condition and that is why we are shining a light on the illness. We hope our support for World Diabetes Day raises awareness of the condition and encourages people to get checked if they have any concerns about their health.”

World-diabetes-day-2014-logo

For more information, support and advice about diabetes, visit www.diabetes.org.uk

By admin