World Diabetes Day ’09 In Photographs

I wonder if, back in 1898, Mr. J.B. Brooks knew that the bag loops on his revolutionary saddle would be sporting WDD advocacy signage?

Dressing up the Long Haul Trucker on a chilly WDD morning.

You mean hula hooping in a cycling cap isn’t cool?

Blue circles, represent!

Our trusty steeds, ready to roll.

Riding over Victoria’s Johnson Street Bridge (a.k.a. The Blue Bridge).  This well-known, civic structure was lit in blue during the 2008 WDD Blue Monument Challenge.

Your friendly, neighbourhood World Diabetes Day Ride organizers.  The Olympic Mountains behind us were absolutely stunning (this photo does not do them justice, even a little bit).

Some of the bicycles pose for a shot at the Legislative Buildings, Victoria, British Columbia.

To see more photos from World Diabetes Day in Victoria, check out the My Favourite Number Facebook fan page.

World Diabetes Day – It’s Here!

Hello blogosphere and the D-OC (diabetes online community)!  I hope you’re all having a wonderful World Diabetes Day, spreading awareness and educating others about this disease.  Our ride this morning was successful (and we kicked it off by showcasing our mad blue hula hooping skills — more on that to come, including photos!).  The WDD signs and flags on our bikes definitely turned some heads and the ride is going to be featured on tonight’s 6 o’clock news on Victoria’s local A channel!  I’m not sure if the segment will be made available online but I will definitely try to get my hands on it for your viewing pleasure.

That’s about all I’ve got for today.  I’m off to read some Big Blue Test results!

Some Educational Viewing

Throughout the month of October, participants submitted videos to the Making Sense of Diabetes project, highlighting ways in which diabetes impacts each of our five senses (touch, smell, sight, taste and hearing).  Today, I am excited to be able to share with you this inspiring compilation video, showcasing winning footage for each of the five senses, brought to us by the Diabetes Hands Foundation.

As the global diabetes community prepares for World Diabetes Day (for all you Victorians out there, don’t forget about our WDD Bike Ride!), please watch, enjoy and be inspired by this video.

All of the Making Sense of Diabetes submissions can be watched at TuDiabetes.  When you have a chance, I highly recommend giving them a gander.

World Diabetes Day Ride – Victoria, BC

Inspired by a similar event taking place in Seattle, Daniel and I have organized a community, diabetes awareness bike ride for World Diabetes Day (November 14th, 2009).  Started in 1991, World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign for diabetes.  Here in Victoria, British Columbia, we’ll be marking this day by grabbing our bicycles and getting active!

This ride is not about speed or endurance; all levels of cycling experience are welcome!  This ride is about creating community and raising awareness about the number of people touched by this disease.  We are affixing World Diabetes Day signs and banners to our bicycles and we’re decorating our rides in blue, the official colour of World Diabetes Day.

For those of you on Southern Vancouver Island, we hope you are able to join us on the ride.  For those of you farther away, we hope you will help us spread the word about World Diabetes Day…and maybe even consider organizing a ride of your own.

The Details: World Diabetes Day Ride – Victoria, BC

When: November 14, 2009. 9:30 – 11:00 am.
Where: Meet at the pavilion south of the Selkirk Trestle Bridge on the Galloping Goose.
Time: Gather at 9:30 am. Ride starts at 10 am.
Route: A 10 km loop around the downtown core, ending at Centennial Square.
Other: Cyclists are encouraged to get creative and decorate their bicycles (and bodies) in blue, the official colour of World Diabetes Day.

In other World Diabetes Day Victoria news, from 5 – 6 pm on November 14th, Victorians will be participating in the World Diabetes Day Blue Light Monument Challenge.  Details can be found at this web site.