This month duomedia colours blue to help raise awareness for the Diabetes Liga. One of duomedia’s team members is confronted daily with the effects of diabetes. Her spirit is phenomenal. At all times she makes sure her daughter is shielded as much as possible from the effects of this chronic condition. This is what she has to say.
In Belgium, over 6% of the population has diabetes. This means that in Flanders alone, more than 500.000 people live with diabetes. 90 to 95% of them have type 2 diabetes and 5 to 10 % have type 1 diabetes, most of them being children and young people up to the age of 18. Every year, more than 300 children are diagnosed with diabetes.
And one of these kids is my daughter, Elise. In the summer of 2020, my 3-year-old girl was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Our entire world got turned upside down and we had to find a way to live with this invisible but ever-present disease. Now, almost 2 years later, we have found a bit of routine and we can help focus more on the awareness of this disease. Therefore I’m very happy that duomedia supports the Diabetes Liga.
The blue tour
As parents of a child with type 1 diabetes, we are more than thrilled when a campaign is set up to create awareness and to raise money. Most people only know of diabetes because their uncle or grand-parents have it. In these cases it’s most of the time type 2 diabetes – a chronic condition that is frequently the result of an unhealthy lifestyle and can be taken care of with a healthy diet and exercise. Type 1 diabetes on the other hand is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the beta cells of the pancreas. This type of diabetes cannot be cured and lifetime injections of insulin are needed.
The Flemish organisation Diabetes Liga announced a challenge where they want to literally and figuratively mobilize the general public for diabetes. The aim is to have a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week, and this for 4 weeks. By subscribing to this challenge, you are encouraged to get in shape and support diabetes as a charity. I was immediately enthusiastic – even though I’m not very much into sports 😊. And I was not alone.
My colleagues at duomedia were very enthusiastic as well! Our boss immediately suggested to support the cause and sign up duomedia for this challenge. We are making this a joint challenge where we encourage each other to do some exercise, but also where we support diabetes as a charity.
You can help as well!
As a company or as an individual, you can also be part of this charity. Sign up for the challenge or donate. The money raised will be used to further scientific research, so we can hopefully prevent and cure type 1 diabetes in the future.
Today I kicked off the challenge with a 5km walking tour during my lunch break. It was a perfect week to get started as spring is in the air in Belgium! So, no excuses, let’s go outside and do some exercise, and more importantly: support the Diabetes Liga.
Because I would like you to be healthy, and even more, I want my daughter and all the other children who have diabetes type 1 to be & stay healthy. That can only become reality with a little bit of help from you, your company and everyone’s support!