Ascensia Diabetes Care is celebrating the crucial role that nurses play in helping people manage their diabetes with a series of inspirational videos for this year’s World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2020
The campaign is designed to support the official theme – Nurses Make the Difference – reinforcing the key role they play in many areas of diabetes from diagnosis and prevention through to the management of the condition.
In total, 28 people with diabetes from around the world wrote to their nurses expressing their appreciation and gratitude. These letters have been captured through emotive videos highlighting how nurses have guided, coached and supported them emotionally and physically throughout their diabetes journeys.
Bob, who has Type 2 diabetes, thanks his diabetes nurse in one of the inspirational videos
The inspirational videos show how nurses have enabled and empowered people with diabetes to self-manage their condition. It is also not just about the medical elements of diabetes management where nurses play a role, they are also crucial in recognising and providing guidance to navigate through the emotional and mental impact that many people with diabetes and their families experience.
Rob Schumm, President of Ascensia Diabetes Care, explained: “According to figures from the IDF, around 9% of the world’s adult population has diabetes, many of whom primarily self-manage their condition. Nurses are often the first and sometimes the only healthcare professional that they see in relation to their diabetes. This reinforces the critical role they play and the positive impact they can have for a person with diabetes. The videos really demonstrate that nurses hold a special place in the hearts of those they have helped. Particularly in those early interactions immediately after diagnosis, which for many can be life changing. What’s striking is, for many participating in this campaign, their nurses have remained by their sides from the outset to the present day, helping them navigate the maze that is diabetes. Without this support, many people with diabetes would have struggled.
“In fact, the idea for this campaign came from an employee who shared how much he wished he could thank the nurse who supported him immediately after his Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, aged 13. He talked passionately about how tough the early days were and how, thanks to his nurse’s determination, he was able to play in an important soccer match the day after his diagnosis. Years after his diagnosis, his nurse was still supporting him and his family through their diabetes journey. All this with a smile. We were moved by his story and realised that there must be many more stories out there that should be shared.”
Show and share your support
Show your support by liking, sharing or reacting to the inspiring stories featured on Ascensia Diabetes Care’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels. You can watch the videos in full at www.ascensia.com/wdd2020/
