The ‘Inspired by Diabetes’ campaign, a collaboration between Lilly and the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) Unite for Diabetes initiative, has been launched in Egypt.

The campaign, which has received endorsement from the National Diabetes Institute- Ministry of Health and population, aims to invite those affected by diabetes to share their experiences through art as part of a global contest to raise awareness about the devastating disease.

The contest is a unique way of drawing attention to the global epidemic that affects nearly 250 million people worldwide.

According to an IDF report, nearly 7.6 million Egyptians will have the disease by 2025, making it one of the top 10 countries in the world in relation to diabetes incidence.

‘Inspired by Diabetes’, aims to engage people who have diabetes as well as their families and friends to express how diabetes has impacted their lives.

The participants can send in their entries in 4 categories: Poetry, short essay, original painting and photography by January 20, 2008.

The local submissions will then be judged by local artists, healthcare practitioners and media representatives, before being entered into the global competition. The winners' names will be announced in the spring of 2008, said a top Egyptian official.

"We are highly supportive of this initiative and are actively engaged in spreading awareness about it. We will encourage children and adults to participate in the local and global contests of ‘Inspired by Diabetes’,” noted Prof. Ibrahim Al Ibrachy Dean of the National Diabetes Institute in the Ministry of Health and Population.

To highlight the fact that diabetes does not discriminate between age groups, ‘Inspired by Diabetes’ is open is open to people with diabetes, children, families and friends as well as healthcare professionals.

Prizes for the local competition include free art workshops, fitness or social programs (prizes may vary between children and adults). Addition prizes are being planned for the global contest winners.

“The spirit of the initiative is to bring families and people with diabetes together to raise awareness,” Dr Ayman Hassanein, General Manager of  Lilly Egypt, pointed out.

“This campaign is important because it will help draw particular attention to how diabetes inspires those people affected by it. It will give them the chance to express their feelings through art in its different forms,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service