Landmark Group announces fourth Beat Diabetes Walkathon

In addition to the UAE, the Group will continue its awareness drive in other countries where it has a presence. Consequently, walkathons will be hosted in Kuwait, Qatar and India amongst others throughout November, the International Diabetes Awareness Month.

Landmark Group also plans to conduct a series of events at Oasis Centre on 14 November, the International Diabetes Awareness Day. Registration is free and will open two weeks prior to the walkathon at key Landmark Group outlets across the UAE.

Deeper Community Engagement

As part of Landmark Group's efforts towards playing a more active role in the community, Beat Diabetes will initiate a corporate outreach programme in the months leading up to the walkathon. Special camps will be set up at various organisations to offer free blood glucose testing for employees.

Beat Diabetes is additionally working alongside diabetes support groups such as 'I am Number One', which offers assistance to parents and families of children with Type 1 diabetes. Every month, parents convene at 'Beat Diabetes Community Mornings' at Balance Café at Oasis Centre to interact with a subject-matter expert who sheds light on a different aspect of diabetes management for children. At these open forums, parents also share their experiences and discuss the challenges they face.

Landmark Group will additionally join hands with the Sweetkidz UAE Diabetes Support Group, which conducts events that empower children with diabetes to overcome their fears about the condition through teaching them to monitor their Hba1c count and intake of carbohydrates.

Alarming Statistics about Diabetes

Recent figures from International Diabetes Federation (IDF) report indicate that the number of people living with diabetes around the world is expected to rise from 366 million in 2011 to 552 million by 2030, unless swift action is undertaken. This amounts to around three new cases every 10 seconds.

Since a large number of people with diabetes are unaware of their condition, awareness is the first step towards diagnosis.

Landmark Group and Beat Diabetes

Landmark Group encourages people to monitor their blood glucose levels regularly to ensure early detection and better management of diabetes. Through its on-going programmes such as 'Beat Diabetes, Eat Healthy' and 'Beat Diabetes, Get Active' the Group actively seeks opportunities to raise awareness about the condition.

In 2011, Landmark Group became the first retail corporate supporter partner of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). In May 2012, the Group conducted a fund-raising drive across its stores in the UAE, raising over Dhs710,000 towards 'Life For A Child' - a grass-roots charity across 37 countries that helps underprivileged children afflicted by Type 1 Diabetes manage their insulin levels.

The Group's on-going efforts towards spreading awareness about diabetes have reached several thousand residents of the UAE, with over 150,000 people across the region getting their blood glucose levels tested. In 2011, more than 12,000 residents took part in the UAE edition of the Beat Diabetes walkathon at Oasis Centre and the Group successfully conducted free blood glucose tests for 15,000 people across the UAE, during the month of November.