June Jamboree
Join our #BlueCircleWorkshops led by and for people living with diabetes, Sunday, 5PM IST - free and open to all!
This Sunday, dive into the 39th episode of our series, Meethi Baatein, as we spotlight and celebrate the top contributors of our vibrant Facebook community. This time, join Ashlesha, living with T1 as she chats with Deepak, parent to a child with type 1 diabetes.
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 June 2024 at Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation.
We had 13 online and offline events in May 2024 - of which we had physical meets in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Jaipur- see the photos below!
Glimpses from our offline meets
Friends from our Pune at the coffee catch-up
Friends from our Mumbai coffee catch-up!
Looks like some fun was had at our Bengaluru low carb potluck picnic!
Friends from our Delhi bowling and games catch-up!
Friends from our Jaipur coffee catch-up!
Friends from our Hyderabad catch-up!
Diabetes Awareness for Senior Citizens
Our recent online diabetes awareness session brought together senior citizens from Taare Social for an enlightening discussion on managing diabetes. Despite the distance, we bridged gaps, fostering community among our elderly friends. Together, we're ensuring that no one has to manage diabetes alone. Kudos to our volunteers!
School Diabetes Awareness & Screening Program
Did you know that India has the highest number of children & adolescents living with type 1 diabetes? Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation organised a School Diabetes Awareness Programmes & blood sugar screening camp for over 450 students & staff (many of whom watched the livestream in their classrooms) on 19th June 2024 at the Millennium National School, Pune.
We were warmly welcomed by the school administration and the students! 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.
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 conducting diabetes awareness programs at schools. Edit it with your child's specific details and share a signed copies with the child's school principal, teachers, etc. If you would like to volunteer with us, keep an eye out for calls for volunteers on our Facebook community Diabetes Support Network - India & please fill this form.
See a quick video from the session-
The time to lead on NCDs is now!
The World Health Assembly has just wrapped up in Geneva, and NCD advocates from across the globe like Nupur Lalvani have been actively calling on governments to lead on NCDs ahead of the High-Level Meeting in 2025! 🌍🤝 Country leaders, community & civil society leaders, together we can act on NCDs!
Low Carb & Travel
🌍✈️ Follow Nupur as she navigates low-carb while travelling 📸 Dive into these effective low-carb hacks for the savvy traveler:
🕒 Intermittent Fasting & Stay Hydrated: If you’re already comfortable doing intermittent fasting, it’s a great fit during unpredictable travel schedules. Remember to keep hydrated—water is your best travel companion! Seen our videos on intermittent fasting? See this video on IF, the Dr Jason Fung way, by 2 of our community members living with type 2 diabetes and this video by a panel of people with T1 and T2 who do intermittent fasting.
🍽️ Eat Smart When Dining Out: Pick protein-rich mains, say no to bread, ask for extra veggies, and skip dessert. Sip on specialty coffees, sparkling water, or a glass of wine (if that’s what you prefer) and communicate your dietary needs with confidence! Most establishments are happy to help. Read our blogs on low carb & see this low carb playlist.
👩🍳 Cook Your Own Meals: Cooking in your Airbnb or dorm saves money and helps you stick to your goals. Plus, it’s a chance to experiment with local ingredients!
🍲 Local Delights: Treat yourself to local dishes that are also low carb. Experience the culture without compromising your eating plan!
🛒 Hit the Grocery Stores: They're perfect for discovering healthy local snacks (nuts, yogurt, cheese, dark chocolate etc) and are a budget-friendly alternative to dining out, especially for snacks. Read our blogs on travel & diabetes too.
Ready to take your low-carb lifestyle on the road? What’s your top travel hack for staying healthy abroad? Share in the comments section of the video below or this reel! 🌍✈️🥗
#BlueCircleWorkshops (online)
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? Each workshop is led by experts who are passionate about making a meaningful difference. Check out our YouTube playlist to see some of these workshops.
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!
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.
Building Muscle with Diabetes: Workshop
Join part 2 of our Building Muscle with Diabetes workshop, where fitness trainer Mahesh and Madhur, both living with type 1 diabetes, will focus on Q&A.
Want to dive into more workshops on exercise with diabetes? See our #BlueCircleWorkshops exercise playlist on YouTube. Also, read our exercise related blogs.
#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)
School & Type 1 Diabetes: Workshop
In May, we had an interesting chat thread with tips on managing school & type 1 diabetes (jump into the discussion and read up here). With schools re-opening after the vacations, join our follow-up workshop with Sonali & Karthik, both parents to young people with T1 who will share tips and tricks for smoothly balancing school & T1D. A must-attend session for parents of school going children.
#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)
Cataract & Diabetes: Workshop
People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing cataracts, a clouding of the lens in the eye that can impair vision. Join Snehal, living with T1 as she speaks about cataract & diabetes with ophthalmologist Dr Savita Bhat, from Chellaram Hospital Pune.
Want to learn more about diabetes complications? See our #BlueCircleWorkshops complications playlist on YouTube. Also, read our complication related blogs.
#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 38th episode of our series, Meethi Baatein, as we spotlight and celebrate the top contributors of our vibrant Facebook community. This time, join Ashlesha, who lives with type 1 diabetes as she chats with top contributor Bhavesh, who has type 1 diabetes. Their shared experiences, insights, and stories promise to resonate with many. See the recording here.
Celiac & Diabetes : Workshop
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where ingestion of gluten found in wheat, barley, rye etc leads to damage in the small intestine. Join caregiver Pinki & Sunil a T1 with celiac, as they share their experiences navigating celiac & diabetes.
#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)
Buddy Project Helpline turned 4 in May 🎁🎂🎉
Happy Birthday to our Buddy Project Helpline and a big thank you to our buddies, past & present who have volunteered on the helpline 💙
The Buddy Project Helpline started during Covid19 and continues to be a diabetes & mental health support system, free of cost and open to anyone with any type of diabetes & their caregivers.
🆘Read more about the helpline here
🆘 Download on Android here
🆘 Download on iOS here
🆘Read about the Blue Circle Diabetes app here
Help us keep our community safe 🥹💪🏼
Join our mission to keep our Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation and Diabetes Support Network - India community safe! 🛡️ Nupur Lalvani and Snehal Nandagawli are here with a special message: Help us protect our safe space from spammers, sellers & troublemakers. Let’s work together to maintain a supportive, informative, and spam-free environment for everyone. Watch the video to find out how you can contribute to a safer community 🩵🤝
#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! Click the post below to read Alka's success story-
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 with school admissions etc 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. 10 trained volunteers living with diabetes (type 1, type 2 & caregivers), speaking 9 different languages (English, Hindi, Dutch, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil and Punjabi) 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 June 2024
Sound on and time to #FlipTheCalendar! The #BlueCircleDiabetesCalendar is a fun calendar featuring people living with all types of diabetes. Featuring actor and holistic bio hacker Megha who 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!
SUPPORT BLUE CIRCLE DIABETES FOUNDATION
We need your help and support to continue to grow, expand and touch the lives of countless people in the diabetes community. Every little bit helps us in sustaining this endeavour. Our NGO is registered under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, India.
Click here to donate