The Capitol, Supreme Court building and Governor's Mansion will "go blue" at sunset today for World Diabetes Day, along with hundreds of other monuments worldwide in observance of the disease that affects 26.8 million Americans and an estimated 250,000 Nevadans.
Gov. Jim Gibbons signed a proclamation at the request of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Northern Nevada, commemorating World Diabetes Day. The Capitol campus buildings will remain bathed in blue light for the remainder of November, Diabetes Awareness Month.
A blue circle has been established as the global symbol of diabetes.
World Diabetes Day brings together millions of people in more than 160 countries to raise awareness of diabetes. It has a two-year focus on children and aims to increase awareness among parents and caregivers, teachers, health care professionals, politicians and the public.
Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease affecting every organ system. It is the single most costly chronic disease. In 2008, diabetes accounted for $174 billion in health care costs in the U.S. In Nevada, it accounts for $167 million annually.
One out of every three children born in the U.S. from the year 2000 on will develop some form of diabetes in their lifetime.