Businesses are urged to get in the spirit for Halloween by supporting a Dress Diabolical for Diabetes event.

The Bermuda Diabetes Association will launch the campaign from October 27 to October 31 to raise funds and awareness about the fight against the illness.

More than 16,000 people in Bermuda have pre-diabetes or diabetes, and the majority have type two which can be prevented and reversed.

Bermuda spends more than $50 million each year on complications related to diabetes such as kidney disease, heart failure, blindness and amputations, which can almost entirely be prevented with appropriate intervention.

BDA chairwoman Debbie Jones stated: “We are excited to be launching the Diabolical Diabetes awareness campaign which aims to change ingrained behaviours about the disease.”

A press release from BDA said participating companies and restaurants can show support by Dressing Diabolical for Diabetes. The community is encouraged to hold parties or events at home joining with friends and choose their own way of raising funds.

Groups taking part should e-mail marketing@diabetes.bm for information cards, a donation bucket, tent cards, the event flyer and helpful hints to hosting a successful event.

Further events over the weekend will include a Diabolical Diabetes Dinner on Saturday, October 28.