Eighth Edition of Beat Diabetes Walk Draws More than 18,000 Participants

• Dubai Sports Council’s 24-hour 'Diabetes Awareness Walk' and ‘Senior Run’ garner significant attention at Beat Diabetes Walk
• Landmark Group raises funds towards Al Jalila Foundation for diabetes research, awareness and education

Dubai-UAE: 19 November, 2016:  The eighth edition of Beat Diabetes Walk, the Landmark Group’s flagship initiative to promote diabetes awareness among residents of the UAE, concluded today at Zabeel Park drawing huge public interest and record participation. 

More than 18,000 people from Dubai and the other emirates participated in the 3.8 kilometre walk that was followed by a host of activities - ensuring a fun-filled family day out for all participants. The occasion also marked the conclusion of a 24-hour walk as part of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Community Sports Initiative. 

‘Senior Run’, a novel effort by the Dubai Sports Council that engaged residents over the age of 60 years in a 100-metre dash, was a huge crowd puller at the event.

Under the patronage of the Government of Dubai, entities such as Dubai Health Authority, Emirates Diabetes Society, Al Jalila Foundation, Dubai Municipality, RTA and Dubai Police extended their support to the eighth Beat Diabetes Walk.

Commenting on the unprecedented turnout at the venue, Renuka Jagtiani, Vice Chairperson, Landmark Group, said: “The incidence of diabetes and related conditions is certainly on the rise globally. However, it is heartening to note that that there is a simultaneous increase in general awareness about the condition, as well as the pressing need to make healthier lifestyle choices as a method of preventing and managing it. The excellent participation we have witnessed today is a testimony to that.”

“We thank the Government of Dubai, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Sports Council, Emirates Diabetes Society and all the other government and corporate entities for their tremendous support,” she added.

Participants also benefitted from the free glucose testing services provided at the venue by DHA, the event’s health partners, who also presented practical tips on how to prevent and manage diabetes. Walkers enjoyed a host of community-focused fitness and sports activities such as Zumba, yoga, body balance, cricket, snook ball, dodge ball, bubble soccer and archery. A Kids’ Zone that featured bouncy castles, rodeo bull and other energetic activities including wall climbing witnessed enthusiastic participation from children. 

Home Centre organised a cookery stand where 14-year old Bella Pearson of Al Islami Kids Club demonstrated healthy cooking tips to children. A type 1 diabetic, she has been trained at the School of Culinary and Finishing Arts (SCAFA) in Dubai. Another cooking session by Nadia Parekh, of Mélange Dubai also drew significant interest from the audience. 

Renuka Jagtiani said: “Landmark Group is the only retail conglomerate that has been consistently driving home the message of ‘Beat Diabetes’ for almost a decade now, touching millions of lives across GCC and India. In the UAE we once again raised funds through our 590 stores in the country and participants who registered for the Walk. The money will be used to support Al Jalila Foundation’s path-breaking work in diabetes research, awareness and education.”  

Although diabetes is irreversible, with good management through healthy diet, exercises and medication, a person can lead a relatively normal life. “Being aware and proactive is the need of the hour, which is a key reason we urge the community to participate in this drive to raise diabetes awareness,” added Jagtiani.   

According to International Diabetes Foundation, 415 million people worldwide have diabetes, with the MENA region alone accounting for 35.4 million. It is of particular concern that the UAE has more than one million diagnosed cases of diabetes, and a substantial number of cases as yet undiagnosed.

Sponsors for the eighth Beat Diabetes drive included Standard Chartered Bank, GBM, Cisco, Mashreq Bank, Aramex, Allied Transport Company (ATC), Cognizant, Bureau Veritas, Centrepoint, Home Centre and Max.