Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is split into two types: insulin dependent (IDDM) or Type 1 and non-insulin dependent (NIDDM) or Type 2. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) explains “most people with type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system, which normally fights infection, attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. As a result, your pancreas stops making insulin. Without insulin, glucose can’t get into your cells and your blood glucose rises above normal. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.”
Type 1 is considered “juvenile” because “Type 1 diabetes typically occurs in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. Having a parent or sibling with the disease may increase your chance of developing type 1 diabetes.”
The NIDDK explains symptoms of diabetes as “serious and usually happen quickly, over a few days to weeks. Symptoms can include”
- increased thirst and urination
- increased hunger
- blurred vision
- fatigue
- unexplained weight loss
November is US National Diabetes Awareness Month. The World Health Organization notes November 14th as World Diabetes Day (WDD). There are many organizations supporting diabetes awareness including the International Diabetes Federation. The IDF “is an umbrella organization of over 230 national diabetes associations in 170 countries and territories.” The IDF promotes education for World Diabetes Day and uses the blue circle logo.
There are variations in the diabetes awareness ribbon color. Gray has been used for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes with a red blood drop. Type 1 was separated by a blue and gray ribbon with a red drop. Since the IDF uses the blue circle logo, an all blue ribbon with a red blood drop has been used and especially for World Diabetes Day.
The Type 1 diabetes awareness ribbon is available on merchandise that already has a variety of messages. There are also awareness ribbons for blue, blue and gray with blood drop, and gray with blood drop merchandise options too. All items in the Awareness Gallery store can be customized with your own words and images.
This ribbon art can also be available through the non-profit, DonnaBellas Angels. Its mission is to provide inspirational art for mental health wellness. Email us at info@awarenessgallery.com.
