Diabetes awareness through art launched in Egypt

People whose lives are affected by diabetes are invited to share their experiences through art as part of a global contest to raise awareness about the devastating disease. 'Inspired by Diabetes', a collaboration between Lilly and the International Diabetes Federation's (IDF) Unite for Diabetes initiative, aims to engage people who have diabetes as well as their families and friends to express how diabetes has impacted their lives.

The contest is a unique way of drawing attention to the global epidemic that affects nearly 250 million people worldwide. Here in Egypt, diabetes is on the rise. The IDF predicts that nearly 7.6 million Egyptians will have the disease by 2025, making it one of the top 10 countries in the world in relation to diabetes incidence.

'Inspired by Diabetes' is accepting submissions in 4 categories, poetry, short essay, original painting and photography. The deadline for submissions is January 20, 2008. 'The local submissions will then be judged by local artists, healthcare practitioners and media representatives, before being entered into the global competition. Winners will be announced in the spring, 2008.

"We are highly supportive of this initiative and are actively engaged in spreading awareness about it. We will encourage children and adults to participate in the local and global contests of 'Inspired by Diabetes'," says Prof. Ibrahim El- Ibrachy Dean of the National Diabetes Institute in the Ministry of Health and Population. "Such initiatives are complementary to all the national programs and efforts that we undertake with the support of his Excellency Prof.Hatem El-Gabaly Minister of Health and Population to fight this disease across the nation. We encourage people to use their creative expressions to participate in 'Inspired by Diabetes'. We hope that this initiative will increase the awareness among the population regarding the burden of this deadly disease."

To highlight the fact that diabetes does not discriminate between age groups and that it also affects the friends and families of those with the disease, 'Inspired by Diabetes' is open is open to people with diabetes, children, families and friends as well as healthcare professionals. Prizes for the local competition include free art workshops, fitness or social programs (prizes may vary between children and adults). Addition global prizes are planned for the international contest winners.

"The spirit of the 'Inspired by Diabetes' initiative is to bring families and people with diabetes together to raise awareness of the global burden of this devastating disease," says Dr Ayman Hassanein, General Manager of Lilly Egypt. "This campaign is important because it will help draw particular attention to how diabetes inspires those people affected by it. It will give them the chance to express their feelings through art in its different forms."

Lilly is also running Inspired by Diabetes in several countries in the Middle East.