Australian politicians – or ‘Pollies’ as they call them down under – joined Diabetes Australia to launch the ‘It’s About Time’ campaign.
The week-long campaign aimed to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and early treatment for all types of diabetes.
For those ‘Pollies’ who got involved, like the Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Diabetes Mr. Graham Perrett MP (pictured), there were opportunities for local, regional and national media coverage to get the campaign’s message across. This was enhanced by the use of social media to increase awareness of the campaign and the participation of elected representatives.
By working with their diabetes association, the About Time Campaign was launched in Parliament House Canberra, with MP’s, Senators and the Minister for Health participating.
The Australian group also made a short video of elected representatives taking their socks off! It was a campaign against diabetic amputations and the need for people with diabetes to look after their feet – again it attracted a great deal of coverage for the participants and the issue alike.
When did you last contact your national diabetes association to try out something similar?
Australian MP Graham Perrett gains media attention raising the issue of early diagnosis and his role as a champion advocate for diabetes.