I have recently been featured in a national campaign to raise awareness of World Diabetes Day. As the local Member of Parliament, I have written to request that local landmarks be illuminated blue on the evening of the 14th November to raise awareness of this rapidly growing public health problem.
Diabetes, obesity and other preventable conditions present a drastic threat for the future of our National Health Service, and affects millions of people across the UK.
In our local CCG, Swindon, 11665 people have diabetes (6.5%) of its total residents. These numbers are growing every day, and 10% of the NHS budget is now spent on this condition.
I am proud that we have done our bit in South Swindon to raise awareness of diabetes by illuminating Central Library for World Diabetes Day, and being featured in the national campaign to raise awareness of this public health menace.
Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes, Keith Vaz MP, said:
“This year’s World Diabetes Day has been enormously successful in highlighting the dangers of diabetes. I am delighted that Robert Buckland MP has led such a superb awareness campaign in South Swindon.
Swindon’s Central Library now joins an incredible list of national and global landmarks which have participated in the Blue Monument Challenge, including the London Eye, Christ the Redeemer, Table Mountain in Cape Town and Number 10, Downing Street.”
Keep an eye out for Central Library turning blue on Saturday!
More information about World Diabetes Day can be found here: http://www.idf.org/wdd-index/