Today, 14th November signifies Word Diabetes Day (WDD). WDD is an annual event designed to advocate and build awareness for people suffering from diabetes. In the run up to the day Nigel Evans MP met with clinicians, industry and patient group representatives in Parliament to help raise awareness of new technologies that are being developed to help administer and control insulin, and how this can help people living with diabetes.
1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes and close to over half are not yet diagnosed. World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 in response to concerns around continuing health threats posed by diabetes. It is the most recognised awareness campaign, reaching audiences worldwide of over 1 billion people, in more than 160 countries. The Blue Balloon Challenge focuses on creating continuous awareness of what it is like to live with diabetes, and how it is like a constant balancing act – keeping a balloon in the air.
Nigel also had the opportunity to meet with a representative from Medtronic, who have successfully developed technology used by people to help them manage their diabetes more easily. This can be in the form of Insulin Pump Systems, Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and Injection Ports.
Nigel Evans commented:
“It was eye opening to hear the difficulties facing the sufferers of diabetes, particularly on how they live with the condition and balance their lives accordingly. Diabetes is a chronic disease that effects a great number of people, so I am delighted to get behind World Diabetes Day, to help support people suffering from the condition, and to continue to raise awareness.
“It is incredibly encouraging to see the positive impact new technology is having on the lives of people suffering from diabetes - allowing them to balance their lives more easily with the help of these products and I am excited to hear about the continued progress which I am sure will continue to be made with the help of people like Rekha and Medtronic.”