To mark World Diabetes Day, employees at Novo Nordisk Global Business Services raised awareness about diabetes and healthy living. The objective of the initiative was to convey how small lifestyle changes can help prevent and manage diabetes. These programmes by the global healthcare company reiterated that awareness, early detection, and active lifestyles are the cornerstones in managing diabetes and reducing its increasing burden in India.
Team Novo Nordisk (TNN), an all-diabetes professional cycling team kicked off the day with a yoga session. Professional cyclist Sam Brand was joined by Becky Furuta, TNN Ambassador, as employees spent a mid-week wellness session blending mindfulness, fitness and community spirit.
Then followed an all-employee session, ‘Living with Diabetes: Conversations that Inspire’, featuring diverse perspectives from a medical expert, a patient advocate, TNN athletes living with Type 1 Diabetes, and Sathya Sankaran, Bengaluru’s Bicycle Mayor. All of them drove home the myths surrounding diabetes, early diagnosis, and how certain lifestyle modifications such as cycling or regular exercise could help in the effective management of diabetes.
Athletes of Team Novo Nordisk shared their experiences with the employees, first hand, through an informal meet and greet session. Insights from these professional sportspeople living with diabetes on varied topics ranging from training, nutrition, and mental strength to teamwork, got people giving a thought to all that was possible while living with a chronic condition.
Tor further drive sustainable mobility and active lifestyles, Novo Nordisk GBS organised a session on ‘Urban Commute’ featuring Sam Brand, Nikhil Ram Mohan, cycling entrepreneur and John Dawber, corporate vice president and managing director (CVP & MD), Novo Nordisk GBS. Along with personal experiences, practical cycling tips were also shared to motivate people to set aside time for health, work, and fitness in an urban setting.
An all-women session saw Becky Furuta sharing her journey of diabetes, motherhood, and sports. She also urged the women to consider their health challenges as opportunities and to lead resilient lives striking a balance between self-care, personal commitments and work. A slow-cycling race and a smoothie maker challenge saw employees pedalling to power their blenders, reinforcing small movements on a daily basis can make a meaningful difference.
According to John Dawber, CVP & MD, Novo Nordisk GBS, “We believe that creating awareness about diabetes is not a corporate responsibility but a collaborative movement. When our employees openly communicate, share experiences, and promote healthy living, we are building not only a stronger workplace but also a more knowledgeable and empathetic society.”
