UCLan & DRWF invite public to first Lancashire Living with Diabetes Day

UCLan has teamed up with the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation (DRWF) and the specialist diabetes teams from Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for the event which is open to anyone with an interest in diabetes.

Recent figures* suggest that over 73,000 people in Lancashire were living with diabetes in 2012.  It is estimated that this will rise to over 99,000 by 2030 if no changes are made.

With this in mind the unique Preston event will bring together people living with diabetes, healthcare professionals, academics, students and diabetes organisations to provide a wealth of diabetes information under one roof.

Whether people have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, are a friend, family member, carer or have an interest in the condition, the Living with Diabetes Day will give participants the chance to learn more about their diabetes and provide them with the tools and increased understanding to better manage their condition and subsequently improve their quality of life.

Dr Swrajit Sarkar, Associate Lecturer in Nutritional Sciences at UCLan, is co-ordinating the event.  He commented: “We are proud to host Lancashire’s first Living with Diabetes Day.  Our aim is to provide people with the information they need in a caring, friendly and knowledgeable environment so they can make informed choices on the best ways to manage their condition.”

The programme will feature talks by specialists in diabetes on many different aspects of living with the condition, with a particular focus on the important topics of diet and nutrition, exercise and structured diabetes education for patients. 

Attendees can also visit the health zone where they can meet a variety of experts who will be on hand to offer advice on diet, nutrition, health, lifestyle and the latest blood-glucose meters and diabetes related products and services.

Sarah Bone, DRWF Chief Executive, said: “Diabetes Wellness & Research Foundation is delighted to be supporting UCLan and the specialist diabetes teams from Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustfor this first annual Living with Diabetes Day.

“DRWF knows that good self-management is central to reducing the risk of associated diabetes complications. Through our support of events such as this we are able to offer our resources and advice which help to inform, empower and inspire people with diabetes to take action to improve their quality of life.”

Christine Elwell, Diabetes Education Coordinator at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It can be a daunting time when people are told they have diabetes however armed with the right information and support it doesn’t have to be. We are committed to educating people living with diabetes on the best care and treatments options available to enable them to self-manage their condition as much as possible so they have the control to not let diabetes affect their quality of life.”

The event on Saturday 31 May will be held at Darwin Lecture Theatre 8.30am – 4.00pm. There is a £6.00 registration fee for the event which includes lunch and parking. All proceeds (less admin costs) will be donated to the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation.

For more information about the event contact Dr Swrajit Sarkar on 01772 895717 or email SSarkar@uclan.ac.uk

People can register online by visiting https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uclan-living-with-diabetes-day-31st-may-2014-registration-11303548217 
once registered, attendees will receive programme details and directions by email.

The Living with Diabetes Day is sponsored by Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation to ensure people with diabetes are ‘staying well until a cure is found’.