We all know the terrifying stats: Diabetes is the number one killer of women in South Africa, and the second leading cause of death in men. One in two people with diabetes is undiagnosed.
So, what can we do? South Africa needs a mass diabetes awareness drive, so citizens are asked to wear blue in support of World Diabetes Day (Tuesday 14 November).
The Wear Blue for Diabetes campaign is being held so that every South African will know the five symptoms of diabetes. The four voices for this campaign – Bridget McNulty, Salih Hendricks, Siyabonga Zuma and Helga Nefdt – encompass four different lived experiences with diabetes. Type 1, Type 2, public private, young and old, male and female, with complications and without.
The five symptoms that could mean you have diabetes are hunger; thirst; needing to pee; blurry vision; and exhaustion.
In a bid to turn SA blue, the four voices are sharing their fascinating and diverse stories about life with diabetes: Bridget is the country’s leading voice for diabetes, following a devastating diagnosis; Salih was diagnosed as a teenager, had emergency surgery on his honeymoon, looked after his health but still had to have an amputation at 55; Siyabonga’s sister was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a year before he was, but he still lived a double life for years because of stigma; and Helga’s diabetes journey began with gestational diabetes but she kept her diabetes a secret until five years ago.
Find out more at www.sweetlife.org.za/WearBlueforDiabetes.
