Deano the Dino Glows Blue for Diabetes Day
Rapid City's Dinosaur Park landmark will light up blue on November 14 as part of the Go Blue for Diabetes campaign.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Diabetes
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Deano the dino at Rapid City Dinosaur Park will be illuminated blue on November 14 as part of the global Go Blue for Diabetes campaign. The Falls in Sioux Falls will also light up blue to recognize World Diabetes Day.
Why it matters
The campaign aims to raise awareness of diabetes prevention, early detection and management while showing support for people living with the condition. Diabetes affects roughly 1 in 10 South Dakotans, and Rapid City residents are among those invited to take part in local education efforts.
Prevalence figures for South Dakota come from the state's diabetes reporting, showing about 1 in 10 residents affected and about 1 in 4 Native Americans affected. The extraction does not include attendance numbers for the monthly education sessions, so the reach of the outreach remains unmeasured.
The players
South Dakota Diabetes Coalition
The South Dakota Diabetes Coalition is a state-level group that organizes free monthly virtual education sessions for people living with diabetes.
The details
Deano the dino will be illuminated blue as part of the Go Blue for Diabetes campaign, and The Falls in Sioux Falls will light up in recognition of World Diabetes Day. The South Dakota Diabetes Coalition also offers free monthly virtual education sessions, with Type 1 sessions on the first Tuesday and Type 2 sessions on the second Tuesday of each month.
Timeline
November 14: Deano the dino illuminated blue in Rapid City.
First Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m.: Type 1 diabetes virtual education session.
Second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m.: Type 2 diabetes virtual education session.
Health Landscape
The Rapid City lighting follows the annual World Diabetes Day observance held each November 14 under the International Diabetes Federation. It extends that global awareness calendar to a regional landmark in South Dakota, where roughly 1 in 10 residents live with the disease.
Free monthly virtual sessions give Rapid City residents a no-cost way to learn about diabetes management, prevention and early detection. Anyone who is among the roughly 1 in 3 South Dakotans considered at risk can join a session at 7 p.m. on the appropriate Tuesday.
The takeaway
Check the monthly education schedule and consider joining a free session if you live with diabetes or are at risk. Early awareness and management can reduce the chance of serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and vision loss.
What happens next
The Go Blue lighting of Deano the dino takes place on November 14, and virtual education sessions repeat on the first and second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
Further reading
For more on local efforts, see Diabetes coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kotatv.
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