Blenheim goes blue for diabetes
By CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
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Blenheim's Seymour Square clock tower has joined iconic world monuments, including New York's Empire State Building and Sydney's Opera House, in turning blue to mark World Diabetes Day.
Marlborough District Council staff have switched the usual pink glass covers over the tower's spotlights to blues ones, with the landmark showing off a blue hue for the first time last night.
World Diabetes Day is tomorrow, followed by New Zealand Diabetes Awareness Week from Tuesday, and the tower will remain blue until awareness week ends.
Diabetes Marlborough field officer Helen Hannay said the aim was to "bring to light" the number of people with diabetes in the world and the need to take action.
"(This is) making people aware that it is serious and if they are diagnosed to take it seriously."
However, a diabetes diagnosis did not mean "you can't have a good life", it was just important to manage the disease, she said.
She was delighted the council had supported their request to turn the tower blue, making it one of 660 monuments around the world to light up and possibly the only one in New Zealand.
"They've gone to a lot of effort to help us ... they mayor has also been really supportive and is challenging all his councillors and council staff to be checked for diabetes."
Diabetes Marlborough is offering diabetes checks at Blenheim Library between 10am and 3pm from Tuesday to Thursday next week, Mrs Hannay said.
Those being tested will be charged $2 to cover costs.
Tests can also be done by GPs and some pharmacies.
Mrs Hannay said between 1000 and 1500 people in Marlborough are affected by diabetes.
However, she said, that number could be higher as some people are unaware they have the disease.
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