National Diabetes Week this year focusses on the prevention of type 2 diabetes through an interesting campaign. Diabetes Australia uses images to represent people’s irrational fears such as clowns, spiders and sharks and compared it to the real and hidden threat of diabetes. So it absolutely made sense that the launch of this campaign was done at the Melbourne Aquarium! Therefore, it’s only fitting that this post will feature happy shots from the aquarium!
Did you know that more than 2 million Aussies are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes? Some people may scoff at this. But when one in three people don’t even know they are already living with diabetes, it’s pretty scary.
You can check your risk for type 2 diabetes at checkmyrisk.org.au. It’s important to note that this is not a direct predictor for developing (not contracting) type 2 diabetes. Even if you are at low or no risk, it definitely doesn’t mean you’re immune from it. Trust me, I know from experience!
Not being aware or looking after your diabetes can have serious implications. All the negative things associated with diabetes such as amputations and loss of sight becomes much more of a reality.
Diabetes isn’t all doom and gloom. The sooner you put things in place to manage your diabetes, the risk of complications generally reduces too. There are also increasingly more support networks for people living with diabetes. You are never alone.
This campaign is targeting those at risk of type 2 diabetes. But healthy eating and exercise doesn’t just benefit people with pre-diabetes. It benefits EVERYONE.
National Diabetes Week, to me, means that we put side our differences to work together. We are here to help each other out. Together we are one voice to fight against the discrimination and the stigma that has been fanned by misinformation and through the media. Together, we are united for diabetes.
HangryPancreas 
This is an interesting concept. I find it such an innovative way of making people understand Type 2 Diabetes although I may have to do my own research on this. 😀 Thanks for the post.