Stepping out for diabetes awareness

Stepping out for diabetes awareness: Around 1 500 people took to the Durban beachfront to raise awareness for diabetes on Sunday.

Team JMH enjoying the Global Diabetes Walk initiative

Joint Medical holdings had a great day supporting the Global Diabetes Walk initiative on Sunday at the Amphitheatre 5km walk

They sponsored a table with Diabetes and Blood Pressure screening and offering the public valuable health education by healthcare professionals. The Team screened about 200 participants on the day and were very pleased to have our MEC Mr. S.Dlomo visit the stand and offer kind words of appreciation for the work done by the team. 

                                     

Do you know your diabetes status - get tested

It is all about knowing your diabetes status in order to lead a balance &

healthy lifestyle. Jenny Russell, the Branch manager of Diabetes SA Durban

office looks on as some of the staff members at Independent Media getting tested and of course, finding comfort & support from each other. 

There will be FREE testing at the Global Diabetes Walk on the 13th November Durban Amphitheatre any member of the public is welcome to get tested , you do not have to enter the walk to be tested. Take Control !

Image courtesy : Steven Brown

Health and Lifestyle - that's what it's all about...

Gearing up for the upcoming Diabetes Walk on Sunday, November 13^th, Diabetes SA Durban Branch manager, Jenny Russell (right) together with Adele Madsen (left) and some of her young beach hockey players  getting into the swing of things in an effort to live an active & healthy lifestyle

Now in its fifth year, the Global Diabetes Walk and Wellness Expo – Durban, which has become a successful annual event, is taking place on Sunday, November 13^th from the Lower Marine Parade Amphitheatre at the Bay of Plenty, starting at 8am.

In addition to the walk, there will be a festive Wellness Expo which will see many exhibitors offering information and sample products relating to diabetes, free glucose and blood pressure tests for the public, amongst other exciting features.

An added bonus will be an array of entertainment on offer, from participating in the free Zumba Class to Rhythmic Dance School dancers entertaining the expected 3000 strong entrants from the walk. 

Children under 6 years old are free to enter and they too can enjoy the entertainment from jumping castles, Dilly the Clown as well as a beach hockey demonstration.

“Beach Hockey is played in over 30 countries and this is the first launch for South Africa,” said Adele Madsen. “We are excited to support the Global Diabetes Walk, as with playing hockey we strive for a healthy, fit body and value what this walk does to draw the public’s attention to preventative and manageable measures that must be considered with an illness such as Diabetes,” she added.   

Also, entertaining the crowds at the walk will be dancers from the Rhythmic Arts Academy owned by Minette Landman who said, “We have a passionate group of students and a dynamic team proud to be a part of the Diabetics Walk for the second year in a row. We as Dancers and performers often take our bodies for granted, and love to be a part of projects that promote healthy living to remind us to be mindful and respectful towards our bodies. It is also important to us to promote a healthy lifestyle and show our support in events that create awareness and education to younger generations. We are all very excited and can’t wait to be a part of this event”.

Lastly, emphasised by the branch manager at Diabetes SA – Durban, Jenny Russell, “South Africa needs to encourage more events like ours as not many people are aware that Diabetes is a serious medical condition. Diabetes is caused by too much glucose in the bloodstream and has been dubbed the ‘silent killer’ for years and we seriously need to do something about it collectively!” “Don’t risk it - I encourage everyone to improve their health and take control of their lifestyle - from monitoring what they eat, to exercising,” she added.

It is encouraged to pre-enter for the Diabetes Walk by either registering at the Diabetes SA Durban Office, situated at 204 Wheeler House, 112 Mathews Meyiwa Rd (Stamford Hill Road), Durban or head on down to arena 3 at the uShaka Marine World Village Walk on Saturday, November 5^th or on Sunday, November 6^th between 12 noon & 3pm.

The 5km walk is open to all and costs just R60 per person. Participants are even encouraged to bring their pet pooch along (on a leash). All proceeds go towards supporting Diabetes SA and its work in all communities. Even if you are not participating, all donations are welcome!

For further information, please contact Diabetes SA on 084 717 7443, or email them on durban@diabetessa.org.za or call Nerve Events 031 201 2169 during office hours.





image and words - Steven Brown

Free Testing at the Global Diabetes Walk - Durban

Keep your eyes on diabetes and also join the walk

THE 2016 DIABETES SA GLOBAL WALK - DURBAN!

Keep your eyes on diabetes ...  but put your best foot forward at the fifth annual 2016 Diabetes SA Global Walk and Wellness Expo on Sunday, November 13^th, 2016. 

Designed to raise awareness about diabetes in KwaZulu-Natal, this two hour event begins at 8am at the Durban Beachfront, Amphitheatre / Bay of Plenty on the Lower Marine Parade as well as ending here. 

Family and friends who are either participating or spectating at this 5km fun walk are also invited to enjoy the Wellness Expo which will not only provide plenty of sound advice on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but also offer free glucose and blood pressure testing.

“Diabetes is the second highest cause of death in the eThekwini Municipality, yet this serious condition still remains in the shadow of HIV/AIDS and cancer,” says Jenny Russell, branch manager for Diabetes SA Durban, a non-profit organisation that provides support and wellness education for both diabetics and communities at large. 

When you have Diabetes, your body is either unable to make enough insulin, or it is unable to correctly use the insulin it does make. As a result, the glucose in your bloodstream cannot move into your cells to be used as energy and thus creates a build-up, resulting in high glucose levels. 

Damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels is irreversible. Diabetes has been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, eye disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, lower limb amputations (worldwide, a lower limb is amputated every 30 seconds), sexual dysfunction as well as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. 

According to the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organisation, a person dies from diabetes complications every six seconds. 

There are currently 415 million people worldwide with diabetes, as opposed to 14 million with cancer and 35 million who are HIV positive. Every eight seconds, two people develop diabetes and the International Diabetes Federation estimates that there will be 592 million people with diabetes by 2035. 

Russell points out that up to 80% of Type 2 diabetes is preventable by adopting a healthy diet and increasing physical activity. This used to be the ambit of the “unfit, fat and over forty” group, but is now becoming more common in young adults and children. 

Worldwide, 200 children are becoming diabetic every day. However, the fastest growing group of Type 2’s is the 35-50 age group – the breadwinners of the family,” she adds.  

Russell warns that the largest increase in diabetes in Durban is seen in low and middle income groups. This is mainly due to rising rates of urbanisation with associated increased levels of obesity, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet.

However, at least 50% of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition – which makes it doubly important for everyone to be tested on the day of the Diabetes Walk. 

Please pre-enter for the Diabetes Walk by either collecting registration forms from Diabetes SA Durban - Office 204 Wheeler House, 112 Mathews Meyiwa Rd (Stamford Hill Road), Durban or head on down to uShaka Marine World Village Walk to arena 3 on Saturday, November 5^th or on Sunday, November 6^th between 12 noon & 3pm.

The 5km walk is open to all and costs just R60 per person. Participants are even encouraged to bring their pet pooch along (on a leash). All proceeds go towards supporting Diabetes SA and its work in all communities. Even if you are not participating, all donations are welcome!

The Wellness Expo is free to the public to browse with over 20 exhibitors, many of which will be offering information and sample products relating to diabetes, including free diabetes testing. An added bonus will be an array of entertainment on offer from participating in the free Zumba Class to Rhythmic Dance School dancers entertaining the expected 3000 strong entrants from the walk. Children under 6 years old are free to enter and they too can enjoy the entertainment from jumping castles, Dilly the Clown as well as a beach hockey demonstration.

“This event can only grow from strength to strength with the support from our sponsors such as SASA, ABI, Guard Smart, Aquelle, Fit Healthcare, Tony Miller Promotions, Netcare 911, Pure Studio and the KZN Health Department,” Russell says thankfully. 

For further information, please contact Diabetes SA on 084 717 7443, or email them on durban@diabetessa.org.za or call Nerve Events 031 201 2169 during office hours. 

Images and story - Steven Brown

Awesome Hampers scooped up by lucky media attending Global Diabetes Walk

Some local media attending yesterdays Global Diabetes Walk Media launch held at SASA Office at KwaSukela House in Mount Edgecombe walked away with some really cool hampers, and all walked of with fantastic goody bags supplied by SASA...

Winners of the lucky draw...

Jenny Russell with lucky draw winner - Zola Phoswa from Rising Sun

Jenny Russell with lucky draw winner - Anesh Sukhoo from Hindvani FM

Megan Lee from Futurelife with lucky draw winner - Raymond Govender 

from Vuma FM

Jenny Russell with lucky draw winner - Arthi Gopi 

from Independent on Saturday

Jenny Russell with lucky draw winner - Karinda Jagmohan

from Hindvani FM

Jenny Russell with lucky draw winner - Mohammed Ismail 

from WOZA Weekend

                                         

Jenny Russell with lucky draw winner - Nkosinathi Mdunge from Vibe FM

Jenny Russell with lucky draw winner - Tamlyn Vincent 

from Child Mag Durban edition

Jenny Russell with lucky draw winner - Vivaga Thambiran from Rising Sun

                                                                                                                            All images courtesy : Steven Brown

Global Diabetes Walk Media Launch - media & supporters of Diabetes SA enjoying yesterdays function

The 2016 Diabetes SA Global Walk - Durban, recently hosted a launch at the

SASA offices highlighting and encouraging the public at large to live a more

active and healthy lifestyle against this "silent killer". The 5km walk will

take place on Sunday, November 13th from the Amphitheatre on the Lower

Marine Parade, Bay of Plenty, Durban. The Walk starts at 08h00.

Members of the media and supporters of Diabetes SA enjoying yesterdays function held at the SASA Offices Mount Edgecombe...

Ashana Pakeer, Mduduzi Lekhoama, Tamlyn Vincent

Jenny Russell, Njabulo Dlamini, Dilly the Clown, Philile Dlamini

Megan Lee, Siduduzo Myeza, Thobe Dlamuka

Pierre Venter-Maher, Mpilo Mlambo, Kira Persad

Sibongile Gwala, Njabula Dlamini, Jenny Russell, Philile Dlamini

Siduduzo Myeza, Theresa Gilson, Raymond Govender, Karinda Jagmohan

Thobe Dlamuka, Jenny Russell, Philile Dlamini

Zail Singh, Chanel Baichan, Mohammed Ismail

All images courtesy : Steven Brown

Entry Details

We are happy to accept forms printed in greyscale. 

Please print an entry form for each person.

If you are paying for a family or a group please pay all entries together and send all entry forms with deposit reference.

If you would like printed forms, you may collect them from our office:

204 Wheeler House (Second Floor), 112 Mathews Meyiwa Rd (Stamford Hill Rd)

We are just off Argyle Rd.

Please send completed entry forms & proof of payment to:

durban@diabetessa.org.za  

The first 1 000 PAID entrants will receive a goodie bag. 

Goodie bags will only be available for collection near the end of October

Our independent drivers will deliver your goodie bag in the greater Durban area for the following fee:

1-5 bags R50, 6-10 bags R100, 11-15 bags R150, 16-20 bags R200, 21 & over R250.

Please keep watching our Facebook pages for further details

https://web.facebook.com/diabetessouthafricadurban

https://web.facebook.com/groups/102948143132419/