Unite For A Healthy Future.

If you live in or around New York City (or, if you don't and want an excuse to travel), you should check out the Unite for a Healthy Future event happening in Central Park on September 18th. (I won't be able to attend, as my own local JDRF Walk to Cure is also that day. Sad face? I can't decide.)

Related to the "O is for Outrage" campaign I wrote about last month, this event is being organized by the International Diabetes Federation and other civil leaders to call attention to something important. Taken from the event's Facebook page:

On 19 and 20 September 2011, policy leaders from around the world will come together for the United Nations High-Level Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) - cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. During this high level meeting they will focus on the global threat caused by NCDs.

 This is the only 2nd Health Summit in the history of the UN. HIV/AIDS led the way in making history changing the way policy makers and the world see this devastating disease. We now have the opportunity to be active agents of change.

To celebrate this the International Diabetes Federation and civil leaders are organizing a half-day celebration in Central Park, New-York City On 18 September, the day before the UN summit. Our goal is to raise the awareness that Non-communicable diseases are the leading killers today and are still on the rise. But together we can change this.

As of the writing of this post, "Unite for a Healthy Future" has the support of organizations such as The World Heart Federation, Framework Convention Alliance, Livestrong, Diabetes Hands Foundation, Team Type 1, Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Diabetes Daily, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and Einstein Global Health Center. This is going to be a big deal!

I hope you'll consider attending, to add your voice to this powerful movement.