News from Europe

“Stop diabetes, Now!” campaign gains momentum in Germany

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Published on Wednesday, 26 June 2013 08:45

With the September general elections fast approaching in Germany, diabetesDE – German Diabetes Aid is redoubling its efforts to raise awareness of diabetes amongst policy makers and the general public.

Running since early March 2013, the campaign called “Stop diabetes, Now!” keeps on gaining momentum thanks to the numerous intitiaves led by the diabetes association.

Recently the campaign went viral thanks to a humorous video spot that was put on Youtube and shared online and via social media. The video depicts German Parliamentarian eating sweets while reading about the diabetes epidemic via diabetesDE – German Diabetes Aid’s campaign letter. The apparently ignorant politician is amazed at the facts and figures of diabetes in his country, only to conclude that there’s not much he can do about it. That’s when the diabetes community calls to action, stressing that there is a way to improve the situation and the first step is to support the campaign.

The diabetes community also made it to the streets of Leipzig on 9 May to march and raise awareness of diabetes. Participants were wearing a mask with the face of German Chancelor Angela Merkel to call on her and on the government to improve the lives of people with diabetes.

On 11 June, it was the turn of the Government’s district in Berlin to be invaded by supporters of the campaign, who also brought along with them a huge sugar mountain of 2.66 million tons – the equivalent of Germany’s yearly sugar consumption.

For more information about the campaign, contact Stefanie Gerlach at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the campaign’s website: www.diabetes-stoppen.de