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Illuminating the Disease: Roma Tor Vergata's Commitment for World Diabetes Day 2025

From November 10 to 18, 2025, the Rectorate of the University of Roma Tor Vergata will shine brightly as part of a campaign aimed at raising awareness about diabetes. This initiative, led by the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, coincides with World Diabetes Day, celebrated on November 14. This date is particularly significant as it marks the birthday of Frederick Banting, who, alongside his student Charles Best, discovered insulin, revolutionizing the treatment of diabetes.

The university's involvement in this global campaign emphasizes the necessity of understanding diabetes and recognizing the role of prevention and early diagnosis in combating this growing epidemic. The Rectorate features the official emblem of World Diabetes Day: a blue circle, illuminated to symbolize this commitment. Under the leadership of Davide Lauro, a professor of Endocrinology, Marco Re, a professor of Digital Electronics, and researcher Aikaterini Andreadi, the project highlights the university's initiative to connect education, research, and social awareness.

Professor Lauro articulated the symbolic essence of this illumination: “It embodies our university’s dedication not only to research, diagnosis, and treatment but also to social awareness, which is essential for implementing strategies that can make a real impact on this epidemic's spread. Increasing consciousness among young people and the community is vital, as many individuals are unaware of their diabetes risk and others are undiagnosed yet living with the condition. Knowledge is the first step towards prevention.”

Davide Lauro is actively involved in researching endocrine-metabolic diseases, with a concentration on diabetes mellitus and Type 2 diabetes. His work includes participation in international clinical trials aimed at discovering innovative therapies for diabetes management, alongside efforts to identify potential new biomarkers that could lead to better diagnostic methods.

Diabetes mellitus became the second disease, following HIV/AIDS, to be commemorated with an official day by the United Nations, which collaborates with the World Health Organization to develop strategies improving human health. This global effort is also in conjunction with the International Diabetes Federation, which sheds light on the worldwide impact of diabetes and encourages access to healthcare.

Currently, around 6% of the Italian population, exceeding 3.5 million people, lives with diabetes mellitus, and projections indicate this number could surge significantly in the near future. Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable blindness, renal failure needing dialysis, and non-traumatic lower limb amputations. The university’s actions during this awareness campaign will hopefully encourage more individuals to understand their health and explore preventive measures. As the façade glows with the blue symbol, it serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for better health practices and awareness regarding diabetes prevention.

In conclusion, the illumination at Roma Tor Vergata is more than just a visual spectacle; it stands as a commitment to educational outreach, prevention strategies, and the impactful role that academic institutions can play in addressing health issues facing communities today. By fostering awareness, we can move closer to combating the diabetes epidemic effectively.