More in May!
This weekend, Gilmerio & Neeraj will chat about men (with different types of diabetes) & body image - a very interesting topic. Register now for our Sunday workshop - free and open to all!
Bengaluru friends, we have some exciting news for you!
Join the Blue Circle Camp Bengaluru on Sunday 26th June, 4-6PM - an open and FREE meet-up for people interested in health, wellness and fitness at Vega City Mall. Anyone with any type of diabetes & their caregivers are very welcome! Register yourself and your friends, family members, neighbours, colleagues, anyone right away & stay tuned for more exciting information about the camp in the coming days. Click here to register (mandatory for anyone joining in) for the camp and click here to RSVP on Facebook
Don't miss the chance to meet other friends with diabetes! Any questions? Ask away on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India
Here's a quick low down on all that happened in May 2022 at Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation.
#BlueCircleCamp & events
We kickstarted our #BlueCircleIndiaTour with Blue Circle Camps in March in Pune and Mumbai, followed by Delhi in May. Tell us where else you would like us to visit and let's catch up!
Click below to see a video of the highlights from the Blue Circle Camp Pune held in March 2022.
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 and Facebook.
We had 3 physical events in May - our Blue Circle Camp in Delhi and coffee meet-ups in Mumbai and Pune.
Here are some photos from the Blue Circle Camp in Delhi. See the full album here.
Here are some photos from the Mumbai and Pune coffee catch-ups in May 2022
Blue Circle Workshops
Blue Circle Workshops are online weekend workshops that are free and open for all, even non diabetics! We started these workshops in lockdown in 2020 and have conducted over 100 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 to know of upcoming workshops. Be a part of our awesome Facebook community too!
Weight loss/gain with diabetes - Facebook Live Audio
Click here to listen to our fun, virtual, Facebook Live Audio Room on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network India.
Carb counting Workshop
Extremely helpful workshop on our favourite topic, carb counting. Click the post below to read the highlights-
Project Gaia Workshop
At Project Gaia, our initiative is to create a safe space for women living with diabetes. Gynaecologist Dr Pranita Darade spoke about PCOS and diabetes with our hosts Sanskruti and Ashlesha. Click the post below to read the highlights-
Meethi Baatein
14th Facebook Live of our series called Meethi Baatein to celebrate top contributors of our community on Facebook. Neeraj was in conversation with Rajiv who lives with type 1 diabetes, see the video here.
2nd WHO Global Diabetes Compact Forum
Snehal from Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation was invited to be a speaker and share opening remarks at the 2nd WHO Global Diabetes Compact Forum.
In the News
Big step for the city of Mumbai! This month, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched the Safe School Project. Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation is looking forward to partner with the BMC under the support of Hon'ble Minister Aaditya Thackeray on diabetes awareness & management and reach out to over 3 lakh school children in public schools in Mumbai over the coming academic year.
Pictured below is Nupur Lalvani presenting the work we do at Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation at the launch on May 11th 2022. The dignitaries on the dais include Minister Aditya Thackeray, Minister Eknath Shinde, Mayor Kishori Pednekar and others. Read more in the Hindustan Times, Free Press Journal & the Indian Express.
WE WON THE FACEBOOK ACCELERATOR PROGRAM!
We are thrilled to share that Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation's Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India has won the Facebook Accelerator programme. Eight months ago, we were elated with the news that we had been selected as one of 13 communities from over 13,000 applicants as part of the the first Indian edition of the Facebook Community Accelerator. We received training, mentorship and funding to further our goals to educate, engage and empower people and families with all types of diabetes across India.
Diabetes Support Network India is one of the only 3 Indian communities & one of 36 global communities to receive additional funding & support from Facebook. We congratulate all the other communities & their leaders.We are grateful to Facebook for believing in & supporting our mission. We are thankful to all our members, volunteers, partners & donors for their unwavering support & for making our diabetes community the safe space it truly is. Our work now begins. Together we are stronger!
Nupur has been selected to the Our Views Our Voices Global Advisory Committee and joins 14 other incredible experts from across the globe that represent lived experiences of a range of NCDs, care partner experience & a diversity of civil society experience.The Advisory Committee members will work to incorporate the voices of people living with NCDs into the work of the NCD Alliance, address needs, challenges and contribute thought leadership to the issue of meaningful involvement of people living with NCDs at regional, national and global levels.
The Diabetes Health magazine covered caregiver stories of Devna, who lives with type 2 diabetes and Mehul who lives with type 1.5 diabetes (LADA). Click the posts below to read the articles.
Contests
We ran an exciting contest called #MoveMore in association with Shunya, a brand that makes stevia sweetened aerated beverages and juices which are low carb and diabetes friendly. Community members on our Facebook group, Diabetes Support Network India, who managed to clock in maximum steps walked are winners. Read more here.
Also don't forget you are welcome to use the discount code CIRCLE15 for a 15% discount on orders placed on drinkshunya.com
Thank you for 100k views
We are celebrating this milestone of crossing a 100k views on this video. Click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay updated of new videos.
Letter for Schools
We know that physical schools have started again. 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.
Buddy Project Helpline
The Buddy Project Helpline turns 2! 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 & 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.
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)
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.
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!
Blue Circle Store
Check out the adorable diabetes merchandise from the Blue Circle Store and order them now!
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.
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.
Did you know you can save tax when you donate? NGO Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation is registered under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. See our website & social media for our work & various projects in diabetes awareness and advocacy across India. Your support helps us support the diabetes community & help those who cannot help themselves.
Donate & avail tax relief as an individual or organization: https://www.bluecircle.foundation/donate
Email support@bluecircle.foundation for queries
#SugarSelfie
To participate in our social media campaigns, share your video or photo (with some supporting text) on the topic with us. Upload through the Blue Circle Diabetes mobile app and we'll feature you!
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 and Twitter too! If you would like to share and contribute content upload it to the Blue Circle Diabetes app 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
