Press release -
Charity returns to sniff out diabetes
This year Alice Halstead will be giving a talk about how her life has changed now that she has Holly a specialist dog provided by the charity Medical Detection Dogs.
Holly is specially trained to use her nose to detect if Alice’s blood sugar is loo low or too high. She then alerts 23 year old Alice so she can look after herself before it becomes an emergency.
“There hasn’t been a day where Holly hasn’t needed to alert me at least once; be it a high or low blood sugar or a rapid increase or decrease in my blood sugar level.
“She is spot on every single time saving my life with a simple sniff. Before Holly, low or high blood sugars could have resulted in a hospital admission due to a hypoglycaemic* seizure or diabetic ketoacidosis** but thanks to Holly’s regular alerts, we have been able to manage my condition at home. A huge achievement after previously spending three years of my life in hospital because of my diabetes and complications!” said Alice.”
There is a full programme of talks along with an exhibition area with a variety of exhibitors offering advice on diet, nutrition, health, lifestyle and the latest blood-glucose monitors and diabetes related products and services as well as other more general businesses such as Neil’s Yard.
DRWF is working with local diabetes specialists to lead the talks: Dr. Susan Jones, Consultant Physician in Diabetes at the University Hospital of Hartlepool along with Pamela Stephens Diabetes Nurse Specialist also from University Hospital of Hartlepool plus Professor James Shaw Professor of Regenerative Medicine for Diabetes at Newcastle University and Honorary Consultant Physician at the Newcastle Diabetes Centre and Freeman Hospital.
There will be a personal story by Denise Hodgson about her bariatric surgery and the day will conclude on a high with a very special performance, devised for DRWF by Hartlepool’s very own Roaring Mouse Drama Group. The group is a not for-profit social enterprise and provides drama activities, workshops and skill development for adults with learning disabilities. They devise and perform original material, to raise awareness of rights and social issues. Some of the members are also living with diabetes.
For another change this year Dr Pam Medhurst will be leading a Laughter Yoga session, Pam explained:
They say laughter is the best medicine, well Laughter Yoga taps into this idea and brings more laughter into everyday life! Laughter Yoga is beneficial in so many ways: it has therapeutic and preventative health benefits including reducing stress, increasing the flow of endorphins in the body, supporting the immune system, helps balance emotions, decreases anger, increases the rate of oxygen coming into the body, improves self-confidence and helps alleviate anxiety. The best thing about Laughter Yoga is that it doesn't matter if you’re laughing for real or 'faking it until you make it' – it still gives you the same benefits!
The Diabetes Wellness Day is open to people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes as well as parents, friends or carers, or anyone with a general interest in finding out more about the condition including healthcare professionals.
Event co-coordinator Lee Calladine explained: “We are looking forward to visiting Hartlepool again and our aim is for people across the North East Region to learn something new, make some friends and to leave at the end of the day invigorated and with an even greater understanding and enthusiasm of how to manage and live life to the full with diabetes.”
As in previous years the registration £5 registration fee to attend the day which includes access to the full programme of talks and activities, the exhibitor’s area, tea, coffee and refreshment breaks, lunch and free parking.
For more information please contact Lee Calladine at DRWF events@drwf.org.uk 02392 637808.
* Hypoglycaemia, or a "hypo", is an abnormally low level of sugar (glucose) in your blood When your glucose level is too low, your body doesn't have enough energy to carry out its activities.Hypoglycaemia is most commonly associated with diabetes and mainly occurs if someone with diabetes takes too much insulin, misses a meal or exercises too hard.
** Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a dangerous complication of diabetes caused by a lack of insulin in the body. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body is unable to use blood sugar (glucose) because there isn't enough insulin. Instead, it breaks down fat as an alternative source of fuel. This causes a build-up of a by-product called ketones.
ENDS
Press Contact:
Claire Levy M 07813 948 373 DD 02392 636138
www.nth.nhs.uk/services/diabetes/
www.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/staff-profiles/11697.aspx
www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk
Topics
- Diseases
The Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation (DRWF) is a registered charity, established in 1998 to raise public awareness to type 1 and type 2 diabetes, associated complications, treatment, avoidance and relief and to provide support to people living with diabetes. Whilst funding diabetes research we aim to ensure that people are ‘staying well until a cure is found...’
In the past 15 years the UK has seen the number of people diagnosed with diabetes almost double, and this continues to rise rapidly. More than one in 20 of the population now lives with diabetes and it is estimated that there will be 5 million people affected by 2025.
While DRWF is an independent, autonomous charity, working for the benefit of people within the United Kingdom, internationally, Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation exists also as a non-profit organisation in the United States of America, in France under the name "Association pour la recherche sur le diabète", and also Sweden (DWNS). We share the same goals and don’t lose sight of the bigger picture, enabling us to take advantage of our international dimension for the benefit of the charity and our beneficiaries.
Charity registration no – 1070607
