The World Diabetes Day, established by the International Diabetes Federation to commemorate the birth of Frederick Banting, the discoverer of insulin, is celebrated on 14 November every year.

For several years a number of entrepreneurs and institutions worldwide (from Sydney Opera House to Warsaw’s Palace of Culture and Science) have lit their buildings and structures in blue on that day because the colour was officially adopted by the International Diabetes Federation as a symbol of unity for diabetes between people of good will around the world (“Unite for diabetes”). Lighting of buildings to celebrate the World Diabetes Day is a sign of solidarity with diabetic patients and support for actions taken by institutions and organizations which fight this social disease worldwide.

There are ca. 285 million diabetics currently living around the world and, in the opinion of experts, the number may exceed 435 million in 2030. In Poland, there are 2.6 million diabetes sufferers. Doctors alert that there has been a triple increase in the number of new cases during the last 15 years. According to estimates, the number of diabetes patients in Poland will grow to 3.2 million by 2030*.

The Spire – the symbol of Międzynarodowe Targi Poznańskie – will be lit on the initiative of the Polish Association of Diabetes (Management Board of the Provincial Branch in Poznań).

* Source: PSD [Polish Association of Diabetes]