Walk to raise awareness about diabetes

"Walk" your way out of diabetes and beat the killer disease on November 18, urged legendary cricketer and known diabetic Wasim Akram. To mark International Diabetes Awareness Month, a walkathon to raise awareness about the UAE's fight against diabetes will be held on Friday starting from Oasis Centre in Dubai. Akram, who has been living with insulin-dependent diabetes for 15 years, will lead the UAE group for this year's Beat Diabetes walkathon. The walkathon, now in its third year, is organised by the Landmark Group, one of the region's leading retail and hospitality conglomerates, in partnership with International Diabetes Federation (IDF), an umbrella organisation of over 200 national diabetes associations in over 160 countries. Free registration Registration is free and is open to all age groups. Registration desks will be located at Centrepoint, Home Centre, Fitness First, Max and Oasis Centre outlets in the UAE. Participants will receive a complimentary T-shirt and cap along with complimentary blood glucose tests. Pamphlets to educate the community about diabetes will also be made available to the public during the event. According to the World Health Organisation, the UAE ranks second highest in the world in diabetes prevalence. More than 220 million people have diabetes around the globe. The number is projected to more than double by 2030 if there is no intervention. Almost eight out of ten deaths caused by diabetes happens in low-to middle-income countries.