National Diabetes Awareness Month (NDAM) is observed every November to bring attention to diabetes and its effects on millions of Americans. As the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, JDRF leads the way to educate the public, and we hope the T1D community can help us spread awareness about what it means to live with T1D and raise funds to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Here are some exciting things to keep an eye out for during this time, resources to help raise awareness, and tips to launch some exciting fundraisers. Be sure to check out this page all month long for updates!

FORWARD AS 1: Forward celebrates the progress we’ve made, and the progress that’s to come. It also reminds us to think about WHAT and WHO this progress is FOR:

It’s FOR my loved ones
It’s FOR access and choice
It’s FOR treatments and cures
It’s FOR better awareness
What’s your FOR? Forward FOR ______.

Looking Forward is what fuels our vision and mission to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Visit jdrf.org/ndam to learn more about how together, we are moving #ForwardAs1 and spread the word with our photo filter and hashtags on social media.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• November 1: T1Day
• November 14: World Diabetes Day
• November 29: Giving Tuesday

‘T1D CHAMPION’ BRACELET: If you live with T1D or support someone with T1D, than you know that this is a 24/7 disease and we thank you for being a T1D Champion! Little Words Project is donating 25% of the proceeds from the sales of the T1D Champion bracelet to the JDRF Greater New England Chapter—only available during the month on November, get yours today at: littlewordsproject.com/products/giveback-t1d-champion

LIGHT IT UP BLUE: Join our Light It Up Blue campaign and help raise awareness for World Diabetes Day, marked every year on November 14. Visit the landmarks in your area that will be lit blue. Check back as more listings join the campaign!

• Massachusetts
  • Fore River Bridge (Quincy/Weymouth)
  • Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge (Worcester/Shrewsbury)
  • Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge (Boston)
  • Longfellow Bridge (Boston)
  • 888 Boylston Tower (Boston)
  • Boylston Plaza (Boston)
  • Patriot Place (Foxboro)*tentative
• New Hampshire
  • Memorial Bridge (Portsmouth, NH/Kittery, ME)
• Rhode Island
  • Sakonnet River Bridge (Portsmouth/Tiverton)
  • Rhode Island State House (Providence)

FINDING A CURE STARTS WITH AWARENESS: The JDRF Greater New England Chapter will be highlighting storytellers and advocates who will share their experience with T1D. These individuals will be featured on our social media channels as they share their story and fundraise for JDRF during the most crucial month of the year. Every dollar raised will go towards our mission to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications. Help us move forward toward our goal by donating today: jdrf.org/JDRFGreaterNENDAM.

SHARE YOUR STORY: Landmarks aren’t the only thing to turn blue this November. Raise awareness in your communities by sharing your T1D story on social media or with a local paper.  Pro Tip: Add your fundraising link to the bottom of your story. Raise awareness and funds for T1D research!

JDRF VIRTUAL TYPEONENATION: JDRF’s TypeOneNation Virtual Summit continues on Wednesday, November 2 en Español and Thursday, November 3 in English. Don’t miss “Nutrition Tips & Tricks for People with Type 1 Diabetes”. Register today!

DINE FOR DIABETES: Join us at Red Heat Tavern in Westborough, MA on Thursday, November 17 from 4 – 10 p.m. Be sure to mention JDRF and Red Heat Tavern will donate 10% of sales back to JDRF! Can’t make it to Red Heat Tavern? Partner with your favorite local restaurant for a dine for diabetes fundraiser this month.

STATE PROCLAMATION: Greater New England Governors are signing proclamations for National Diabetes Awareness Month. Share these with your community!

• New Hampshire
• Vermont

RHODE ISLAND WORLD DIABETES DAY: This year, Rhode Islanders will celebrate on Monday, November 14 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Join this free event full of helpful, eye-opening, and inspirational presentations, discussions, and Q&A sessions. Plus, leading up to RI World Diabetes Day, join us for the 6-week Rhode to Wellness Challenge that will encourage you to discover a wealth of healthy resources right in RI! Learn more about this event at riwdd.org.

CHALLENGE: 14 ON 11/14: Join the challenge! Walker, Riders, and JDRF Your Wayers send 14 emails to donors who have not donated yet this year on November 14. This day marks World Diabetes Day—what better day to move #ForwardAs1! Pro Tip: Ask the JDRF Staff for a list of your past donors. 

NO LIMITS SPEAKER SERIES: You won’t want to miss the next JDRF No Limits Virtual Speaker Series on Tuesday, November 15 at 7 p.m. with Gary Scheiner! Gary will speak about the impact exercise and athletic sports have on glucose control for people with T1D and learn strategies for managing blood sugar during all levels of exercise, from general daily activity to heavy competition. You’ll even hear from Greater New England’s own Clinical Trial Education Volunteer, Amanda Gilchrist, as she shares her experiences as a T1D clinical trial participant. Register today at: jdrf.org/nolimits.

EXPRESS YOURSELF: JDRF and ExpressionMed have partnered together during National Diabetes Awareness Month to spread awareness of type 1 diabetes while inviting our community to outfit their CGM devices with a JDRF-themed ExpressionMed tape. Purchase a tape, and 100% of the proceeds will benefit JDRF and help us move research forward for treatments, prevention, and cures.

JDRF NDAM VIRTUAL BACKGROUNDS: Generate awareness of T1D and NDAM during all your online events and gatherings. Download these backgrounds.

SHOP TO SUPPORT: Make a purchase from one of our many partners to support JDRF this month, including AmazonSmile, Garmin, Mattress Firm, and more! Have a local store in mind that we can partner with? Contact us for next steps.

Looking for more ideas? Check out our National Diabetes Awareness Month Info-graphic! Download it, share it with friends, family, supporters and colleagues!