Does diabetes need a logo?

When you think of breast cancer, you think of the pink ribbon. When you think of heart disease, you think of the red dress.

So why is it that diabetes, a disease that has earned its place at the top of the list for dangerous epidemics, doesn't have a universal symbol? A logo that can promote unity and solidarity?

The Blue Circle

Well, actually, there is a logo for diabetes. But it's likely you've never seen it--or at least noticed it enough to remember.

The Blue Circle was launched by the International Diabetes Federation in 2006. It was part of a campaign that was urging the UN to recognize diabetes as a serious public health problem all over the world. Subsequently, the symbol became the official logo for World Diabetes Day (November 14th) and the universal symbol for the disease.


The problem? Only one organization--the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE)--uses the logo. Even the American Diabetes Association didn't get on board, claiming that they have their own campaigns to run with their own symbols to promote. A spokesperson from the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation also claims that using an organization logo along with the universal logo can be tricky. Why? There needs to be a clear agreement on how to use the Blue Circle so that there's no confusion about what organization or brand is being promoted.

A need for unity and solidarity

But the AADE says more organizations need to show support. Sandra Burke, AADE's President, explains:

"When you see the pink ribbon, the automatic recognizable symbol for breast cancer, you're reminded breast cancer is serious. When people look at the Blue Circle we want them to be able to say, this is about diabetes, a disease that kills even more people than breast cancer. We need to solve this."


To show support for diabetes and use the Blue Circle, visit www.diabetesbluecircle.org, where information about the logo and getting merchandise can be found.

Source: The Huffington Post


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