Type 1 diabetes is usually a progressive autoimmune disease, in which the beta cells that produce insulin are slowly destroyed by the body's own immune system. It is unknown what first starts this cascade of immune events, but evidence suggests that both a genetic predisposition and environmental factors, such as a viral infection, are involved.

People with type 1 diabetes didn't do anything wrong. Doctors believe the cause of the disease is a combination of genetics and some external environmental trigger but not junk food or lack of exercise.

Erika and I have decided to run the Great North Run again this year having struggled round the course in 2011. Both myself and our daughter Isabella suffer from Type 1 Diabetes. The disease requires constant monitoring of blood sugar levels and injections of Insulin into the body upto 6 x daily. Isabella was diagnosed as a 5 year old but now aged 11 she hasnt allowed the disease to restrict her activity and she Kickboxes, Swims, Dances and performs in Theatre Productions. I was mis-diagnosed 3 years ago by my local gp as Type 2 and 3 months later having taken the 'prescribed' medication ended up in A & E. Now correctly diagnosed am also entering the http://www.totalwarrior.co.uk/ this year also and look forward to the extra challenge. I shall be taking part on the 3/4th August.

Erika and I wish to raise the awareness of the disease and to help fund much needed research to hopefully find a desperately needed  cure for people like Isabella to have a better future.