Fervent February
Join our #BlueCircleWorkshops led by and for people living with diabetes, Sunday, 5PM IST - free and open to all! This weekend our workshop is at 6:30PM IST & Veena (T1D) will be in conversation with Monica from Italy who has been living with type 1 diabetes since 33 years & loves sport, yoga & travel. The ladies will speak about women winning with sport and diabetes as we celebrate women’s month, this March. This session is an initiative under Project Gaia, where we aim to create a safe space for women with all types of diabetes. Tune in on Facebook Live, click here to RSVP!
Talking of workshops, we have an exciting announcement from #BlueCircleWorkshops & Project Gaia!
Did you know that since the onset of COVID-19, every Sunday we've consistently hosted over 200 FREE, online diabetes workshops by and for people living with all types of diabetes as part of our commitment to accessible health education? Check out our YouTube playlist to see some of these workshops.
This March, in honour of Women's Month, we're taking our mission a step further by dedicating all 5 of our online workshops this month to a topic close to our hearts: women's health and diabetes, under the banner of our Project Gaia & you can see some of our previous workshops on women & diabetes on our YouTube playlist.
We're here to empower, educate, and support women with all types of diabetes in their diabetes management journey with sessions specifically tailored to their needs. Each workshop is led by experts who are passionate about making a meaningful difference.
RSVP & tune in on Facebook for the live workshops (if you miss a workshop, catch up later with recordings on YouTube or Facebook). Let's learn, grow, and navigate together.
Apply to be an app beta tester!
We have been working behind the scenes, making a big revamp to our Blue Circle Diabetes mobile app, which is an app made ‘by’ and ‘for’ people with all types of diabetes. Come join the cool club of diverse Blue Circle Beta Testers. Read more about the Blue Circle Diabetes app:
See if you fit the eligibility criteria and apply now!
Have questions? Email: support@bluecircle.foundation
Want to be a beta tester? Apply now!
We have several upcoming events in the next few weeks, join us! Stay tuned for upcoming virtual and physical events in your cities & don't miss the chance to meet other friends & families with diabetes! Any questions? Ask away on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India and head to the 'Events' section on the group to RSVP for events you want to share or attend!
We share all important information and updates on our social media handles, so ensure you join our Facebook community , follow us on Instagram , Twitter , YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn. Here's a quick low down on all that happened in February 2024 at Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation.
We had 15 online and offline events in February 2024 - of which we had physical meets in Pune, Kanpur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai - see the photos below!
Glimpses from our offline meets
After hundreds of online workshops, we recently hosted our very first IN PERSON BLUE CIRCLE WORKSHOP on diabetes in Bengaluru and it was a fantastic experience! 🌟 With a wonderful array of speakers with lived experience & a diverse audience of people living with all types of diabetes and caregivers, the event was a great success. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, our amazing volunteer team, our venue partner, Loop and a special shoutout to Artinci for the low carb snack hampers that everyone devoured! If you liked the hampers, check out more low carb treats on their site & use the code SPECIAL25 to avail 25% off on your orders!
Did you enjoy the workshop? Would you like us to organise more or have feedback to share? Let us know, and stay tuned for in-person workshops in various other cities across India! 🇮🇳 Also tell us what city should we come to next?
Stay tuned to our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India for updates in all cities.
See the video from Bengaluru here-
Our Delhi friends had a fun coffee catch-up. Stay tuned for the next one!
Looks like some fun was had at our Ahmedabad coffee catch-up!
Friends from our Mumbai coffee catch-up!
Friends from our Hyderabad catch-up!
Friends from our Pune #BlueCircleRun!
Friends from our Chennai coffee catch-up!
#BlueCircleWorkshops (online)
Blue Circle Workshops are online weekend workshops, led by people living with various types of diabetes. By the people and for the people with diabetes! These workshops are free and open for all, even non diabetics. We started these workshops in 2020 and have conducted over 200 educational, informative & fun workshops yet. Join in, have fun and learn new things. Sign up as a member and follow our social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn to know of upcoming workshops. Be a part of our awesome Facebook community too!
Eye care & Diabetes: Workshop
Rohan who lives with type 1 diabetes is in conversation (in Hindi, because we believe diabetes education should be accessible for everyone, in all languages!) with T1 & retina specialist Dr Shahana Mazumdar about how those with diabetes should take care of their eyes & prevent diabetic retinopathy.
Want to dive into older workshops? See our #BlueCircleWorkshops playlist on YouTube and also this playlist on complications.
#BlueCircleWorkshops are free, online workshops on diabetes by and for people living with various types of diabetes. Join us every Sunday at 5PM India time!
Click the post below to view the workshop video on Facebook (you can also view on YouTube here)
Marriage & diabetes: Workshop
T1 and moderator Snehal speaks with 3 lovely couples about marriage & diabetes in this panel discussion - Nishtha (LADA) & Sunneith (non diabetic), Gilmerio (T1) & Sai (non diabetic) & Rinkal (T2) and Hemal (non diabetic)
#BlueCircleWorkshops are free, online workshops on diabetes by and for people living with various types of diabetes. Join us every Sunday at 5PM India time!
Click the post below to view the workshop video on Facebook (you can also view on YouTube here)
Balancing work, wellness & relationships: Workshop
According to research those living with diabetes make upto 180 more health related decisions per day compared to someone without diabetes. Nupur who lives with type 1 diabetes is in conversation with Veena who is a neuropsychologist and a T1 about how those with various types of diabetes can attempt to balance work, wellness and relationships.
#BlueCircleWorkshops are free, online workshops on diabetes by and for people living with various types of diabetes. Join us every Sunday at 5PM India time!
Click the post below to view the workshop video on Facebook (you can also view on YouTube here)
Meethi Baatein
Dive into the 34th episode of our series, Meethi Baatein, as we spotlight and celebrate the top contributors of our vibrant Facebook community. This time, join Aarti, living with type 1 diabetes as she chats with top contributor Sreedevi, living with type 2 diabetes. Their shared experiences, insights, and stories promise to resonate with many. See the recording here.
School Diabetes Awareness
Did you know that India has the highest number of children & adolescents living with type 1 diabetes? Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation organised 2 rural School Diabetes Awareness Programmes & blood sugar screening camps for students & staff on 13th February 2024, one in Marathi at an aided school, called Jawahar Vidyalaya in Chas village & another session in English at the residential Sahyadri School nestled in the Sahyadri Mountain Range in Rajgurunagar, Khed taluka, Maharashtra, India.
We were warmly welcomed by the school administration and the bright and eager children we spoke to had lots of questions! Help make a difference & please get in touch with us on support@bluecircle.foundation if you would like to arrange similar sessions at your school or organisation. If you would like to volunteer with us, please fill this form & keep an eye out for calls for volunteers on our Facebook community Diabetes Support Network - India.
Exciting updates coming soon!
We've had some interesting experiences lately with a diabetes demonstration on the streets of Pune and a health documentary shooting. Watch this space for more!
In the news
In 2017, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) made a landmark decision allowing students with type 1 diabetes to carry essential items like insulin, glucometers, and snacks into exam halls. This year, we've seen further progress as the list now includes Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps as well. While we celebrate these developments, it's disheartening to still witness schools denying admissions based on T1D.
Want to deep dive into diabetes tech? Read these blogs. Want to know more about the NCPCR circulars to all schools regarding accomodating children with type 1 diabetes? See this post.
We're proud of our community for raising their voices, making this topic a trending tweet, which has led to significant media coverage. This is a step forward in creating more awareness about type 1 diabetes in India and the challenges faced by students. Read the article by Edex The New Indian Express.
Let's continue to push for #EducationForAll and ensure no child is left behind due to type 1 diabetes.
In the Diabetes Health Magazine, Ashlesha shares some tips to stay hydrated this summer. Read the article here.
WE ARE 15,000 STRONG ❤️💙
We want to thank YOU for making our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India a supportive & helpful family. You have helped us keep this award-winning community clean, spam-free, kind and a safe space for people with all types of diabetes to share their experiences & questions. Big thank you to each one of you!
Use the red 'Invite' button (just below our name, Diabetes Support Network India) & invite people from your Facebook friend list who may benefit from a deep dive into all types of diabetes.
#BlueCircleDiabetesCalendar 2024
Announcement for the Blue Circle Diabetes 2024 calendar
We are thrilled to unveil our 5th edition of the #BlueCircleDiabetesCalendar for 2024! Featuring 12 incredible individuals with various types of diabetes, this calendar is a daily reminder that a diagnosis didn't end the journey & with grit and determination we will triumph together!
Our #BlueCircleDiabetesCalendar is making headlines in the Indian Express newspaper! Featuring 12 inspiring people with various types of diabetes, it's a celebration of resilience and strength. Read our feature here.
Support us by purchasing calendars, magnets & stickers from the Blue Circle Store: https://www.bluecircle.foundation/store
Snapshot of the newspaper article
Success Stories
Found the community helpful, have a success story to share? E-mail us on support@bluecircle.foundation and we'll be happy to feature you!
Letter for Schools
Whether newly diagnosed or not, it's an anxious time for parents of kids with type 1 diabetes. Please feel free to click this post on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network India which will take you to a downloadable and editable letter for schools. Edit it with your child's specific details and share a signed copies with the child's school principal, teachers, etc.
You are welcome to email us on support@bluecircle.foundation if you face any issues or you would like us to organise a diabetes awareness programme at your school or organisations.
See the post below for an important announcement regarding schools and universities. Click the post below, go to the comments section to read or download each circular issued by the NCPCR - National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
Buddy Project Helpline
The Buddy Project Helpline started during Covid19 and continues to be a diabetes & mental health support system & helpline, free of cost and open to anyone with any type of diabetes & their caregivers.
Read more about the helpline & to use the helpline, download the Blue Circle Diabetes mobile app on Android or iOS. Also read about the Blue Circle Diabetes app and all its features here.
Trained volunteer buddies with lived experience of different types of diabetes
The Buddy Project Helpline is our mobile app based psychosocial helpline for diabetes and mental health. Trained volunteers living with diabetes (type 1, type 2 & caregivers), speaking 7 different languages are here to listen to you without judgements. If you feel lost, depressed, anxious, panicky, suicidal or generally upset, please schedule a call with us. These are tough times but remember you are NOT alone, your community stands with you.
How to call the Buddy Project helpline
Image: screenshot of how to navigate the Buddy Project helpline on the app
Open the Blue Circle Diabetes app > Buddy Project > Schedule tab > pick a buddy of your choice > Schedule a call (once you schedule you'll see it under the 'Meetings' tab > 10 minutes prior to the call, you'll receive an app notification/reminder > To join the call, open the app, go to Buddy Project & under the 'Meetings' tab, press the 'Join' button (video is off by default, can switch on as per preference)
Why should you attend our meet-ups?
Fair question! Check out this post to know why-
Diabetes Humour
Life with any type of diabetes is not easy. Here's a little diabetes humour to brighten up your day. Click the posts below & like, share & comment!
Looking for a partner? Marriage & Diabetes
We understand that a lot of people with diabetes face tremendous difficulties in finding the right partner and getting married. We have received a lot of requests over the years to facilitate a platform to this end. Here's our small effort in that direction. If you'd like to find a partner, or are a parent who would like to introduce their child looking to get married, please introduce yourself on our private Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India.
Marriage and Diabetes
Blue Circle Store- Relaunched!
Check out the adorable diabetes merchandise from the Blue Circle Store and order them now!
Cool new merch- check it out!
#FlipTheCalendar February 2024
Sound on and time to #FlipTheCalendar! The #BlueCircleDiabetesCalendar is a fun calendar featuring people living with all types of diabetes. Ft Aishwarya who is an actor, animal lover & also lives with type 1 diabetes🥇
Order calendars & adorable diabetes merchandise:
https://www.bluecircle.foundation/store
Blue Circle Blogs
Read our blog here. We write about everything from recipes to people's stories, technology and everything diabetes!
Donate
India's first app, made by diabetics & for diabetics. If you have found the app helpful & would like to help, consider making a small donation of Rs 99 per month: https://www.bluecircle.foundation/donate
Download the Blue Circle Diabetes app on Android and iOS. Click here to read about the app & its features.
Help us build the app better for you!
Thank you to our wonderful community for helping us making the app better for you! We look forward to your generosity to help us rewrite the app ground up! Use the 'New Feature Idea' button on the app to tell us what features may make the app better.
#SugarDetective
Be a #SugarDetective!
Come be part of our new campaign! Help spread awareness by sharing hidden sugars in packaged foods. Like Sherlock Holmes said, "you see, but you do not observe". Let's observe what's in our food and share!
#SugarDetective campaign
Put up posts on your social media platforms and use the hashtag #SugarDetective & #BlueCircleDiabetesFoundation (also tag us!) You can also share the post on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India. Once a week, we'll feature a randomly selected Sugar Detective across our platforms. Hurry!
Sugar detectives from our community!
Connect with us and participate!
Join our award winning Facebook community, like and follow our page, subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn too! Use the Blue Circle Diabetes app to track your vitals and don't forget to check out our website and Buddy Project helpline too!