Blue Circle

The diabetes blue circle, created by the International Diabetes Foundation for World Diabetes Day, is not widely recognized. The symbol has expanded within the diabetes community and in our own movement but it has not effectively reached the general public.

I think there are a few reasons behind this:

1. It has not been marketed
2. There is no spokesman
3. It is difficult to recreate

The IDF made two YouTube videos to promote the World Diabetes Day. Now, they have actually done more than this but not much to reach the general public. As an average person I should be exposed to the blue circle more often.

I see Mary Tyler Moore as the largest celebrity spokesperson for diabetes. Others include: BB King, Wilford Brimley, and Nick Jonas. But Moore only advocates for JDRF. The blue circle needs to move away from IDF and to the cause in general.

Ribbons are easy to create because anyone can buy a ribbon. Unfortunately blue circles are not easy to recreate. They become even harder when the IDF has a copyright on the image.