Novo Nordisk Education Foundation organizes 5K Walkathon to mark World Diabetes Day ‘22

Bengaluru, November 13, 2022: Whitefield on Sunday woke up to over 500 people walking in unison to create awareness on integrated diabetes management. The Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) organized the 5K walkathon to mark World Diabetes Day 2022. The event was flagged off by Mr. Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Trustee, NNEF, Mr. John Dawber, Corporate Vice President, Novo Nordisk Global Business Services, and Mr. K. Ramachandra, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Control Room, Bengaluru City. The initiative was in line with the International Diabetes Federation’s theme for World Diabetes Day 2022 - Educate to Protect Tomorrow.

The walkathon saw active participation from residents in the neighborhood, Novo Nordisk employees, patient groups and health care professionals (HCPs). It highlighted the need for improved access to reliable diabetes care for people living with diabetes and educated individuals on the 4 pillars of diabetes management: consume a variety of healthy foods and limit fried and salty foods, exercise at least 30 minutes 3-5 days a week, take regular medication to keep blood sugar in check, and monitor blood sugar regularly.

Novo Nordisk India has also partnered with Flipkart Health to launch a digital marathon aimed at spreading awareness about diabetes and helping children living with Type 1 diabetes. For every person that participates in the digital marathon, Novo Nordisk will donate 1 insulin vial to a child with Type 1 diabetes through the Novo Nordisk Education Foundation. 

Commenting on the walkathon, Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Trustee, NNEF, said “We are delighted to see such a great turn out at the walkathon. I thank our chief guests for being part of this diabetes awareness programme. Access to the right education and care are instrumental in helping people with diabetes live long and healthy lives. I am hopeful that this walkathon will inspire people to look at diabetes management from a holistic lens and see exercise, diet, and timely treatment and monitoring not as an option but a way of leading a healthy life.”  

Inaugurating the walkathon, K. Ramachandra, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Control Room, Bengaluru City said, “It is important we confront and treat diabetes as a critical health issue given the number of patients India is seeing today. This is a promising initiative and the need of the hour. Awareness around how to best manage the disease is instrumental in helping people understand the disease, adhere to treatment regimens, and seek preventive help. Small steps like these can make a big difference over a continued period, but we need to start today.” 

John Dawber, Corporate Vice President, Novo Nordisk Global Business Services said, “Diabetes is a growing health challenge and timely diagnosis and management is key. With a sharp increase in the number of people with diabetes in India, it is crucial to focus on preventive lifestyle measures that can help delay the onset of diabetes, and optimal management of diabetes to prevent further complications. At Novo Nordisk, the quest to improve the lives of millions of people with diabetes by advancing treatment, driving prevention, and ultimately curing diabetes inspires our work today and for the next hundred years.” 

Untreated diabetes can cause complications such as eye, nerve, kidney and heart problems over time as chronically high blood sugar levels cause damage to the body’s tissues and organs4,5. It is advised to keep your sugar levels in control and talk to your doctor if you notice any early signs and symptoms of diabetes or related complications.