PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The Changing Diabetes(R) Bus and Village will host visitors today at New York City's Union Square Park, as its tour around the globe concludes on the eve of the first United Nations-sanctioned World Diabetes Day. Novo Nordisk, the sponsor of the tour, invites visitors to Union Square Park to participate in the global drive to raise awareness about diabetes prevention and control, and encourage New Yorkers to change the future of diabetes today. Admission to the Novo Nordisk Changing Diabetes(R) Bus event is free and open to the public today from 11am to 7pm in Union Square's North Plaza.
Basketball Hall of Famer and diabetes advocate, Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks, is an ambassador for the campaign. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2000, 'Nique has been sharing his personal story in order to motivate and educate the public about this disease.
"When I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes nearly eight years ago, it came as a shock -- I thought I couldn't have it because I was in great shape," said Dominique Wilkins. "After I got through the denial, I decided I had to do something about it. I am now joining Novo Nordisk to call on all New Yorkers to change diabetes for good -- make important lifestyle changes for ourselves, and pass these good habits on to our children."
The number of people living with diabetes in New York City is rising at an alarming rate, more than doubling in the past ten years. It is estimated that more than half a million (530,000) New Yorkers -- close to one in eight adults -- have been diagnosed with diabetes. More alarmingly, an additional 265,000 have diabetes but don't know it -- bringing the total number of New Yorkers with diabetes to nearly 800,000. City health officials have recognized diabetes as an epidemic that is taking a large and devastating toll on New York City with death rates, debilitating complications and hospitalizations soaring as a result.
About the event
The Changing Diabetes(R) Bus, a 59-foot mobile showroom, provides visitors with unique and interactive multimedia exhibits where they can learn about diabetes and why controlling it is critical -- for themselves and loved ones. Since its 2006 launch in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Bus has logged more than 27,000 miles across five continents -- Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia and North America -- and more than 77,000 people have visited the exhibit. The Bus is designed to educate both adults and children. In addition to learning about diabetes, visitors will have the opportunity to make a difference in the global fight against diabetes by signing a petition to support the UN Resolution on diabetes and sharing their opinions about what they would change about how diabetes is currently treated.
A wide range of services will be provided to visitors in the Changing Diabetes(R) Bus and Village. Adults can receive free screenings for blood sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure, while children will have their own play area, where they can draw, and enjoy face paintings and balloon twisting. Visitors can also receive fashion, make-up and nutrition advice from the Divabetic - Makeover Your Diabetes team. The organization brings together nationally-known beauty and fashion experts and diabetes educators to encourage women to improve how they or their loved ones live with diabetes. Additionally, Zippora Karz, former ballerina with the New York City Ballet, will sign free copies of her new children's book, "Ballerina Dreams." The illustrated book follows the true story of Zippora Karz, who overcame the challenges of living with diabetes to successfully pursue her dream of being a ballerina. The book signing session will be open to the public at 3:00 PM.
Children's Drawing Contest
Zippora Karz will also announce the international winner of the Novo Nordisk Children's Drawing Contest. The contest provides children with diabetes with an opportunity to express their emotions about living with diabetes and allows others to see how diabetes affects them. Type 2 diabetes in the young is a global phenomenon and on the rise. Through the art contest, Novo Nordisk aims to encourage children to actively take control of their diabetes.
The contest took place between September 2006 and October 2007 in select countries around the globe and was open to children with diabetes between the ages of 4 and 12. Winning entries from each country will be displayed at the event in New York City.
The international grand prize winner wins a family trip to the Walt Disney World theme park closest to their home.
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 84-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition to diabetes care, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 25,800 employees in 79 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For global information, visit http://novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit http://novonordisk-us.com.
For more information about the Changing Diabetes(R) Bus, please visit:
http://changingdiabetes-us.com.
Changing Diabetes is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.