World Diabetes Day
On December 20, 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed a landmark Resolution recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. The Resolution designates World Diabetes Day as a United Nations Day to be observed every year starting in 2007.
The UN Resolution makes World Diabetes Day stronger than ever and provides the opportunity for a significant increase in the visibility of the campaign and an increase in government and media participation on or around November 14. The Resolution will ensure even greater reach for awareness-raising activities throughout the diabetes world.
World Diabetes Day, organized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world. It was first introduced in 1991 in response to concern over the escalating incidence of diabetes around the world. Since then, it has grown in popularity and now brings together millions of people in over 160 countries, including opinion leaders, healthcare professionals, carers, people with diabetes and the general public.
Meet the Inspired by Diabetes Ambassadors
Elliott Yamin
Former "American Idol" standout and rising Hickory Records recording artist, Elliott Yamin, is showing his support for diabetes awareness and education by serving as the Inspired by Diabetes Global Ambassador. Elliott became an Ambassador to promote an increase in care of children with diabetes in developing nations and to show others like him, especially young children, that dreaming and doing big things is still possible.
"My friends kept saying I had nothing to lose," says L.A. native and Richmond, V.A., transplant, Elliott Yamin of his decision to audition for "American Idol," "and I really didn't. I was at a point in my life where I had no direction. I was just scraping by at my job. I thought, 'I'm 27 years old and what do I have to show for it?' I was lost. Deep down inside, I wondered if by trying out, I could somehow put myself on a path to something I'd always longed for but never admitted to anyone."
The secret was on its way out well before Elliott, a former disk jockey and pharmacy counter clerk, finished third in the fifth season of "Idol" (in a historically close race behind Taylor Hicks and Katherine McPhee); early in the competition, the ever-prickly Simon Cowell deemed him "potentially the best male vocalist in the history of 'American Idol.'" With the release of his self-titled debut album, few will believe this accomplished vocalist was once too embarrassed to sing out in his middle-school choir class.
Perhaps even more compelling than Elliott's status as an out-of-nowhere vocal powerhouse — he came to "American Idol" with no vocal training and no real performance experience — is his role as the underdog, who as a child had to cope with near-deafness in his right ear and at 16 was faced with type 1 diabetes.
"A lot of young people with diabetes have said I've given them hope and made them believe in the power of music. They've told me how they've struggled and gone through difficult changes in their lives, and that seeing how I was able to achieve something through 'Idol' has inspired them to go for what they want. It's amazing to me that I've played that role in someone's life." Elliott's inspiration began at home, both his mother and grandmother have type 2 diabetes.
Nonetheless, Elliott was traumatized when his diabetes was confirmed. He says he's never been afraid of injections, having gone for weekly allergy shots for years, but nonetheless concedes: "It was very hard for me at first. I didn't want to believe it. I went through a long period of denial; I kept thinking this can't be happening. I went from being your average 16-year-old knucklehead to having to confront this incurable, life-threatening disease."
Of course, Elliott long ago learned how to live with his diabetes and has for five years worn an insulin pump. But his vivid memories of those difficult early years have inspired him to visit children and teens at summer diabetes camps throughout the country. "Hanging out with those kids and sharing my story is really important to me," he says. "It was always in my mind that if I actually made it far enough on 'American Idol' and the audience got familiar with me, I'd be able to let people know more about diabetes. I knew I could help bring it to the forefront and educate young people about this disease, which most people who don't have it don't really understand."
Currently, the twenty-nine year-old's debut single, "Wait for You," has reached the Top 3 of the Billboard Pop 200 chart and spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the VH1 "V-Spot" video countdown. The single is also close to achieving "gold" status with nearly 700,000 units sold.
"When I'm onstage, I'm home — I have a sense of belonging I've never felt before. It feels like what I was born to do. It has put my whole life into perspective. It's like I finally figured it out; I finally got it right: I'm a singer."
Gary Hall Jr.
Olympian Gary Hall Jr. has joined the Inspired by Diabetes campaign as an ambassador. Commenting on his involvement with the campaign, Hall says, "Diabetes is the toughest opponent I've ever faced. In fact, when I was diagnosed I was told I wouldn't be able to compete again at a world-class level. But I never would have achieved Olympic glory without the inspiration other people with diabetes have given me along the way. The Inspired by Diabetes campaign encourages people affected by diabetes to share their stories with others. The challenges and triumphs of everyday diabetes heroes can inspire all of us to achieve our own dreams. Tell us your story and help children with diabetes around the world."
Hall is a 10-time medalist in the Summer Games. Hall swam to fame during the 1996 Atlanta Games, when he won silver in the 50 freestyle and gold as a member of two American relay teams. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1999, and a year later, defied the odds by winning his first individual gold in the 50 freestyle in Sydney in 2000; in 2004 in Athens he became, at 29 years old, the oldest male in 80 years to win gold for the U.S. team. His third Olympic appearance also
made history in another way: Gary Hall Sr. and Jr. became the first father-son duo to compete in the Summer Games three times.
Hall uses his celebrity status to serve as a powerful advocate for diabetes awareness, education and funding, sharing his message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. He has also testified in front of the U.S. Congress advocating for more funding for diabetes research, serves as a celebrity advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and was the recipient of the first and only USA Swimming Humanitarian Award for his work to raise awareness of diabetes.
