TTOC Partakes in the annual World Diabetes Day Walk
The Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DATT) under the authority of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) hosted its annual World Diabetes Day Walk on Saturday November 13th 2010 in St. James, Port of Spain. The aim of the World Diabetes Day campaign is to raise public awareness of the causes, symptoms, treatment and complications associated with the condition.
The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee’s (TTOC) presence at the walk was to promote its partnership with the DATT. The TTOC has agreed to become the spokesperson for raising awareness of diabetes in Trinidad and Tobago, with special focus on juvenile diabetes.
The walk commenced at 8:20 a.m. at Courts, St. James and ended at the St. James Amphitheatre. There were approximately 350 participants from the various DATT constituency offices throughout Trinidad. A uniformed cadet marching band led the walkers along the Western Main Road, to the beat of drums at a slow, comfortable pace. Patrons wore blue, the colour of the IDF’s symbol for diabetes awareness. The blue represents the sky that unites all nations and signifies the unity of all nations in the fight against diabetes. Blue helium balloons were released into the atmosphere simultaneously at the end of the walk, to symbolize this unity.
The Amphitheatre acted not only as the finish line for the walk, but also the site of the education phase of the day’s activities. T
he DATT offered free blood sugar testing to all persons and distributed informational pamphlets containing details about diabetes, its symptoms and treatment. Products specially manufactured for diabetics were available for sampling.
Troy Romany, Project Coordinator at TTOC, expressed his satisfaction with the organisation of the event.
“I would like to take this opportunity to place on record our hearty thanks to the DATT for the perfect logistic support and guidance they have extended to all of us at the TTOC. We have been fortunate enough to be backed by a team of very motivated and dedicated colleagues of the DATT who know their jobs and are results oriented. I also extend my thanks to Mr. Carlton Phillip, President of the DATT for his enormous contribution to the organization of this event.”
The TTOC is confident that their partnership with the DATT will be a successful once and will also be the launch pad for the alleviation of diabetes in Trinidad and Tobago.
For more information on World Diabetes Day and the Solidarity Walk, see link below: