The Bermuda Diabetes Association intends to shed a light this month on the chronic illness, which affects 14 percent of the Island.

As part of Diabetes Awareness Month, the Island will host educational classes, free health screenings and a walk, while several buildings such as City Hall, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse and the Cabinet Building will be lit in blue, the official colour of World Diabetes Day.

Along with various events, Government intends to release a national guideline on diabetes care this month. The majority of cases of diabetes on the Island are Type 2, which can often be avoided through healthy living.

President of the Bermuda Diabetes Association Trevor Madeiros said the organisation plans to use this opportunity to educate about the condition, which can lead to blindness, heart disease, strokes, kidney disease and amputations.

"Diabetes is a growing epidemic around the world and Bermuda," said Mr. Madeiros. "Worldwide, every 30 seconds a leg is amputated due to diabetes, and people with diabetes have a risk of stroke four times higher than someone without diabetes.

"Diabetes is not going away, but we can do something to help stem the tide and make Bermuda a healthier place."