Barbadians are encouraged to ???Think Blue and Wear Blue??? not only on World Diabetes Day, which will be observed globally on Thursday, November 14, but throughout the month of November which has been designated Diabetes Month.
The Diabetes Association of Barbados and the Barbados Diabetes Foundation will be observing a month of activities to create more awareness about the condition. It will begin with a church service on Sunday, November 3, at the French Village Pentecostal House of Prayer, St. Peter, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The activities will continue with a 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, November 9, at 6:00 a.m. The event starts and ends at the Diabetes Centre in Warrens, St. Michael and is free. Interested persons are required to register online at www.facebook.com/dab1975.
Also on Saturday, there will be health checks and a membership drive between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael. Later in the evening, starting at 7:00, patrons will be treated to Silhouettes ??? A Latin and Ballroom Show at the St. Leonard???s Boys??? School, Richmond Gap, St. Michael. There will be an admission fee.
There will be another church service at St. Matthews Anglican Church, Jackman, St. Michael, on Sunday, November 10, beginning at 4:30 p.m. On World Diabetes Day, the Diabetes Association and the Diabetes Foundation will host health checks and membership drives at all branches of Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited and in the Mobile Unit which will be parked at Independence Square, The City, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. In addition, health checks will be conducted at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on that day.
A panel discussion on diabetes will be held in the evening at The Grande Salle, Tom Adams Financial Centre, Spry Street, The City, beginning at 7:00. Panellists include: Dr. Carlisle Goddard, Internal Medicine; Dr. Rene Best, Family Medicine; Kevamae Sobers, Diabetes Nurse Specialist; Tina O???Connor, diabetic; Esther Selman, Registered Dietician; and Simone McConnie, Podiatrist. The theme for the day is Diabetes ??? Protect Our Future.
Members of the public are invited to visit the Blue Circle City at the Diabetes Centre in Warrens on Saturday, November 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. where they can access health checks, take part in activities such as Zumba and karaoke and view various products. Persons are asked to wear blue and there will be a nominal admission fee. The Blue Circle is the international symbol for diabetes.
On Saturday, November 23, there will be a Walk to Wellness – Hikers Picnic Tour at Barclays Park, St. Andrew, from 6:00 a.m. until noon. Persons who wish to participate may call 256-3093 or email bajanfusion@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/BajanFusion.
Barbadians can purchase fruits and vegetables during an Open Day/Market Day at the corner of Jessamine Avenue, Beckles Road, St. Michael, on Thursday, November 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The month of activities will culminate on Friday, November 29, with health checks and a membership drive at Channell Supermarket, Black Rock, St. Michael, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For more information, persons may contact the Diabetes Association of Barbados at 427-9338 or the Barbados Diabetes Foundation at 436-0305.
melissa.rollock@barbados.gov.bb