SUFFERERS of type one diabetes are calling on candidates in the Holyrood elections to back the search for a cure.
Scotland has the third highest incidence of type one diabetes in the world and the numbers are rising, although the condition is not triggered by poor diet or lack of exercise.
Chairty JDRF, which is leading the hunt for a cure worldwide, is calling on prospective MSPs to support their cause.
Families, who have described their lives being turned upside down after their children were diagnosed with the condition, are also appealing to tomorrow's politicians to pledge their support.
Soenaid Anderson, from Kirkcudbright, said they live with constant worry after their 12-year-old daughter Maisie was diagnosed with type one diabetes. She said: “As a family we cannot emphasise enough how crucial it is that this petition is signed by as many candidates as possible... Maisie being diagnosed as a type one diabetic means our daily life is challenging to say the least. For 24 hours of everyday we panic due to this life threatening condition. Not a day passes without tears, frustration and down-right desperation."
Stewart Whiteford, from Fife, said his nine-year-old Katie wanted a cure for her diabetes from Santa for Christmas.
He said: "Katie injects insulin four times a day, wears a glucose monitor permanently on her arm and takes readings over 30 times a day. This will continue every day, and for the rest of her life. Type one is a disease that removes all spontaneity in life. Everything must be planned, forecasted and measured. We constantly worry. What are her bloods at? When will she eat? What will she eat? How does she feel? What if she goes low? What is she goes high? It never stops. I used to come home, give her a hug and ask, “how’s your day been?” Now I come home, give her a hug and ask, “how have your bloods been?”
The Holyrood candidates are being asked to sign a pledge calling upon the next Scottish Government to commit more funding to support type one diabetes research.
Peter Jones, from JDRF in Scotland, was diagnosed with type 1 at the age of 37. He said the country was perfectly placed to drive new research in the field and play a major role in the quest for a cure. Mr Jones said: "In Scotland, great research projects are being undertaken in Glasgow and Dundee, but with such a wealth of expertise in the life science and biotech sectors, I would like to see more."
There are 29,000 people in Scotland living with type one diabetes and 400,000 in the UK as a whole. It is a life threatening condition which develops when the body’s own immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin and there is currently no way to stop it.
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