Churchill Hospital staff lit Oxford’s Magdalen Tower blue and hosted a research open day to spread awareness about diabetes.
Staff from The Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM) arranged for the iconic landmark to be lit to mark World Diabetes Day on November 14, a first for the city.
Each year, buildings around the world are lit to spread awareness on World Diabetes Day, an official United Nations Day led by the International Diabetes Federation.
An open day, “Eyes on Diabetes: Research and Innovation”, was then held at OCDEM to showcase the centre’s cutting edge work
Visitors browsed interactive stalls to learn about issues including why people develop diabetes, advances in care, new treatments and the role of genetic research.
The centre brings together the University of Oxford and OUH to care for patients with diabetes and conduct research into the condition.
Funders include the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, a collaboration between the University and OUH.
The theme of 2016’s World Diabetes Day was the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes to reduce the risk of serious complications.
Associate Professor of Diabetes Prof Katharine Owen said: “Our World Diabetes Day events went brilliantly. We welcomed lots of people of all ages who were interested to learn about new advances in diabetes and in many cases keen to offer their help as research participants.”