UF's Century Tower to shine blue for World Diabetes Day 2009

November 10, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida will shine blue on Friday as it continues a tradition set in 2008 and lights Century Tower blue in honor of World Diabetes Day.

“We believe this reflects the University of Florida’s commitment to taking leadership on the worldwide diabetes stage,” said Dr. Desmond Schatz, medical director of the Shands Diabetes Center of Excellence at the University of Florida. “We encourage other universities to follow suit in future years and participate in the worldwide campaign of lighting monuments blue and raising awareness for diabetes.”

A lighting ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Century Tower with guest speakers including UF first lady Chris Machen, Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan, state Rep. Chuck Chestnut and Schatz. The first 100 guests will receive a blue event T-shirt and everyone will be asked to form a circle around the tower, representing the global symbol of diabetes. After the tower is lit, the crowd will blow bubbles to symbolize hope for the millions of people worldwide living with diabetes.

Along with the ceremony at the tower, other events to honor Diabetes Awareness Month include free diabetes screenings for all faculty, staff and students at various locations across campus.

Free diabetes screenings will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Reitz Student Union Colonnade and on Thursday at the Shands Atrium.

“Millions of Americans of all ages have diabetes and do not know it,” said Schatz. “We encourage everyone to visit one of the free screenings at a convenient campus location and take home the message to your family to make sure you’re as healthy as you can be.”

UF World Diabetes Day is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gainesville, UF Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, UF Diabetes Center of Excellence, Healthy Gators 2010, UF College of Medicine, UF Department of Pediatrics, and, GatorWell Health Promotion Services.

World Diabetes Day was introduced by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in 1991, in response to concern over the escalating cases of diabetes around the world. It is celebrated each year on Nov. 14 in honor of Frederick Banting’s birthday, who, along with Charles Best, is credited with the discovery of insulin in 1921.

For more information about World Diabetes Day and event details, please visit
www.diabetes.ufl.edu or HealthyGators.hhp.ufl.edu or call 352-846-3965.