Financial Times

Wasim Akram to walk for diabetes awareness in Colombo
Wasim Akram, the legendary Pakistani all-rounder arrives in the country later this month on a new mission at the invitation of the Ceylinco Diabetes Centre.
Akram, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the peak of his career, will lead hundreds of Sri Lankans affected by the disease, and others who want to participate, on a diabetes walk organised by the country’s most advanced private stand-alone facility for screening and management of diabetes.

Intended to create better awareness about the seriousness of diabetes, a disease that afflicts one in every seven Sri Lankans, its prevention and the options available for treatment, the Diabetes walk on Sunday March 26, will precede a day-long programme of activities linked to its theme on the island in the Beira Lake near the Gangaramaya temple.

Akram, who is living proof that diabetics can lead normal lives with proper care and discipline, is one of the best known diabetics in the region. Diagnosed as a diabetic in 1997, 12 years after his debut, he played at the highest level for six more years and went on to capture 414 Test wickets, 502 One Day International (ODI) wickets and make 7161 first class runs.

“We are very happy that Wasim has accepted our invitation to be the Ambassador for this event,” Deputy Chairman of Ceylinco Healthcare Services R. Renganathan said. “This will be a great opportunity for people to learn more about diabetes while showing that they care about prevention and management of the disease.”

The diabetes walk will commence at the Ceylinco Diabetes Centre in Fort Ceylinco House Building and proceed past the Lake House roundabout, Trans Asia Hotel, Slave Island Junction and will end at the Gangaramaya where interactive programmes would be awaiting the participants.

The diabetes walk is open to the public and will also be attended by the members of “Sweet n' Fit”, the diabetes club formed by the Ceylinco Diabetes Centre. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and strokes. Statistics show that diabetes is also one of the most common causes of foot ulcers and the amputation of lower limbs.

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