On August 5, 2015, Sonia Nabeta succumbed to a sudden hypoglycemic attack that had barreled through her defences and Type-1 diabetes won. She was merely 24 years old and had fought the disease for 16 years.
Back in 1999 when Sonia was first diagnosed, it almost seemed like she was the only child in Uganda with the condition. Her parents looked in vain for support groups and medical personnel that understood the condition.
Schools had no idea how to handle Sonia and the requisite support and awareness did not exist. They felt alone, and more importantly, Sonia felt alone.
Throughout her life, Sonia journalized her dream of one day changing the state of affairs for children with T1D (Type 1 Diabetes) in Africa. As such, it became incumbent on her family to carry out her wish through the Sonia Nabeta Foundation.
Pressed with other contagious diseases it is difficult for African governments to prioritize T1D. The Sonia Nabeta Foundation aims to work with governments and other partners to alleviate the hefty cost of treatment and provide holistic mind, body and spirit healthcare for low-income, children “warriors” under 18 with T1D in Africa, starting in Uganda.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that there are 542,000 children under the age of 15 years with type 1 diabetes in the world. Around half of them live in developing countries. 463 million adults (1-in-11) were living with diabetes in 2019 and the number of people living with diabetes is expected to rise to 578 million by 2030.
Diabetes is not only hurting people both at the personal and national levels. T1D is a financially backbreaking disease at a cost of at least $700 a year for basic tests and supplies.
In commemoration of World Diabetes Day, the Sonia Nabeta Foundation has partnered with rē•spin, a health and wellness platform created by Halle Berry, to host a “Wellness Warriorthon”. The Wellness Warriorthon, taking place on November 14, 2020, at 10 am PST, is designed to be an annual event aimed at raising worldwide awareness about diabetes.
In line with the Sonia Nabeta Foundation’s goal of hosting holistic wellness camps that integrate the mind, body and spirit into the T1D care and management regime, the Wellness Warriorthon will do just that. This virtual event will comprise of workouts cooking and wellness sessions, discussions on diabetes and COVID-19, conversations on racial inequities in diabetes care, and presentations on diabetes technology all aimed at bridging conversations across the globe.
The event will provide the opportunity to learn, grow and walk away more informed about your health and wellness as well as diabetes, both domestically and globally.
As a sister, daughter, mother, aunt or friend we hope you recognize the importance of this event as lives are in danger, today it could be you, me or someone you know. Join us in the Wellness Warriorthon where your participation will have a transformative impact on the lives of these children.
Make donations and find out more about the Sonia Nabeta Foundation through this link: https://www.wellnesswarriorthon.com