The Councilor for Health, Elizabeth Belda, and the president of ADEC, Fernando de la Torre, have announced the planned activities to commemorate International Diabetes Day, celebrated annually on November 14th. The aim is to raise awareness of the disease and promote healthy lifestyle habits.
Elizabeth Belda highlighted the importance of prevention and health promotion, stating that "prevention and health promotion are fundamental to improving the quality of life of our citizens." She added that "walking is health, and small daily gestures can make a big difference in our well-being," and invited all citizens to join the events.
For his part, Fernando de la Torre emphasized the association's advocacy role, demanding improvements for patients. Among the main demands, he pointed out the need for guaranteed access to continuous glucose monitoring sensors for type 2 diabetics treated with basal insulin, and requested explanations regarding the withdrawal in the Valencian Community of new compact wireless insulin pumps.
The first event will take place on Thursday, November 12th, at 7:00 PM, at the Fundación CaixaPetrer, with the technical conference 'Innovation, Science, and Quality of Life. Diabetes: Different Specialties, a Shared Responsibility.' Professionals such as Francisco José Ponce Lorenzo (Territorial Director of Health), Joaquín de Juan Ribera (Head of the Nephrology Service at Elda Hospital), Sandra Martínez Fuster (endocrinologist), M. Luisa Alfaro Betrá (Head of the Ophthalmology Service), Rosa Tomás Almarcha (Deputy Medical Director of Primary Care), and Francisco Ángel González (Head of the Cardiology Service) will participate.
The central event will be the 16th Walk for Diabetes ('Blue March'), on Sunday, November 22nd. The walk will begin at 11:15 AM from Plaza de la Hispanidad, with a route through various city streets, accompanied by live music and participants carrying blue balloons. Afterwards, there will be free glucose and blood pressure checks, a tasting of healthy products, and informational material at the association's headquarters.
As part of the awareness campaign, the Elda City Council will illuminate its most emblematic buildings and monuments in blue, including the town hall facade.
