GoDiabetes Campaign 2012

An Open Letter to: 

Star Alliance Airline Members

 and

OneWorld Alliance Airline Members

Both of your organizations have a very impressive network of airlines and every day you move millions of people around the world. Thank you.

Now we would like you to help the many millions of travellers living with diabetes.

Around the world 350 million people live with diabetes and at least 25% need to take insulin every day. Travelling with diabetes can be difficult. Lack of information, hassles at the airport, delays, time-zone changes can ruin a trip whether it is for business or pleasure. At VoyageMD we believe that airlines can make small changes that will make a huge difference for travellers with diabetes.

To help them we would like to suggest that Star Alliance and OneWorld Alliance members work with VoyageMD as part of our 2012 GoDiabetes Campaign to:

• Make sure that all aircraft carry equipment for blood glucose monitoring
• Make sure that all flight crews are trained to recognise a low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia) and know how to deal with it
• Provide the carbohydrate content of airplanes meals to help travellers chose a safe and accurate insulin dose and
• To work with VoyageMD to make it easy for travellers to identify a “diabetes-friendly” airline for their travel choice.

You are already offer to help bring healthcare professionals involved in diabetes care together to showcase the latest scientific medical advances at many international meetings each year.

At VoyageMD we are now asking you help travellers with diabetes. Join our 2012 GoDiabetes campaign and become a “Diabetes-Friendly” airline that travellers with diabetes will want to use.

Web:               http://www.voyagemd.com

Email:             david.kerr@voyageMD.com

Twitter:            https://twitter.com/#!/GoDiabetesMD

Happy New Year from VoyageMD

We have been rather quiet on the blog front recently but for good reason. VoyageMD.com is about to add additional features to help travellers with diabetes even more. We will shortly launch our  journey planner to help travellers by:

• Entering the departure and arrival airports with the date and time and the planner will 
• Provide specific information about the most appropriate time to check blood glucose levels and
• For insulin users - have specific information about how to mange time zone changes

This is in addition to a guide to travel covering aspects from dealing with airport security, what to pack, letters for travel, sick day rules etc etc and all of this will be on an App!

In the New Year we will also be launching a campaign to persuade airlines to do more for travellers with diabetes beginning with simple things such as: (a) carrying equipment for blood glucose monitoring, (b) making sure flight attendants are aware of the symptoms and signs of hypoglycaemia and how to deal with it and (c) provide the carbohydrate content of in-flight meals.

We will also ask travel insurance companies to think about creating new insurance products for travellers with diabetes which will cover short trips. Many of the problems that can occur are predictable and with some planning can be planned for.

We will also make it easier for travellers with diabetes to upload their experiences, photos, thoughts etc about their journey on VoyageMD.com. Our personal reviews of hotels and restaurants will continue and we hope that others will add their own reviews.

More and more people are coming to VoyageMD for travel advice. Let us know what other features you would like to see.

And for people with diabetes travelling over the holiday season - Bon Voyage and see you next year.

VoyageMD