Dawn Fraser urges Australians to support Diabetes Week
13 July 2001
Australian sporting legend Dawn Fraser is urging all Australians to buy a temporary tattoo on Tatts4Kids Day on Thursday 19 July to support people with diabetes.
Fraser was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and is now using her high profile to promote awareness of the disease among all Australians.
‘As a recently diagnosed person with diabetes, I know what it’s like to live with this disease. I encourage people to be screened for Type 2 diabetes because if you find out early enough you can keep it in check and prevent complications,’ Fraser said.
Type 2 diabetes is often triggered by lifestyle factors and can be managed through changes such as exercising more, improving your diet and undergoing regular blood glucose monitoring. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in people aged under 30 and its exact cause is unknown. It requires daily insulin injections.
Tatts4Kids Day is part of Diabetes Week, which runs from Sunday 15 July to Saturday 21 July. Funds raised will go towards the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDFR), which gives children with diabetes the opportunity to attend a kid’s diabetes camp of their choice. These camps allow kids to make friends with other children with diabetes and learn self-management skills, confidence and independence.
‘I hope that Australians show their true spirit by getting behind the day and sporting a tattoo. At a cost of only $2 per tattoo packet it’s a small price to pay to help the many children with this disease,’ said Fraser.
The temporary tattoos, which feature sporting designs including swimming, skateboarding, netball and surfing, will be sold in packets of 4 from pharmacies nationwide.
Last Reviewed: 10 July 2001
