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A note from Mum....

At age 9 our daughter Ella Marsden was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a condition which is chronic and lifelong. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune illness and it differs greatly from the more commonly known Type 2 diabetes. It is caused by the body’s own immune system destroying cells and the pancreas is no longer able to produce insulin. There is nothing anyone can do to prevent Type 1 diabetes and it has no links to lifestyle. Ella is one of 29,000 children in the UK living with type 1 and relying on insulin to stay alive. It was 10 years ago, Ella took her first insulin injection - that needle was the first of an approximate 4,000 needles to date. Three years on Ella received a device which is permanently attached to the body which Ella controls herself to deliver insulin. There is no cure for Type 1 diabetes and even with the advances in technologies, life is an endless balancing act trying to avoid the life-threatening situations of high and low
blood glucose. Blood checks are needed around every 3-4 hours, including through the night. To date Ella has had over 35,000 blood checks. In 2017 Ella then received a second attached device that allows her to monitor blood levels at a constant level. These devices are the result of investment to improve how a person lives with the condition. Nothing can completely eradicate the fear of living with Type 1 diabetes and the complications it can cause. Ella would tell you about the fear of going to bed wondering whether your bloods will remain stable whilst sleeping, and if you’ll wake up in the morning.
Type 1 diabetes is a serious illness which has several possible health implications, it can be fatal and if it was to be left untreated Type 1 diabetes would be fatal within a matter of weeks or months. “Mummy, will I die?” is a heart-breaking question that no parent should ever have to hear. Days after diagnosis 10 years ago Ella asked me that very question, that day I made her a promise.

 
THE PROMISE
We promised we would raise funds to support Type 1 diabetes research, we would work together to raise awareness hoping to achieve a world with better understanding of Type 1 diabetes; and finally, we promised we would never give up on hoping for a cure.
There is only one charity committed to helping us keep our promise – Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation – JDRF

Ella has represented JDRF as a youth ambassador and actively worked within communities to help create a better awareness for Type 1 diabetes. Ella has visited organisations to deliver presentations, taken part and hosted fundraising activities created awareness for Type 1 technology campaigns and regularly supported others living with the condition. As a family we are also part of medical trials researching into Type 1 diabetes. Ella has been invited to speak in Parliament on two occasions, once asking the Government to invest into Type 1 research and a second time to promote the safety of children with health conditions in schools. In 2015 Ella launched her first evening fundraiser event in Wakefield attended by 150 guests. Ellas ambassador role has been recognised and in 2016 at the ‘Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards’ presented by the BBCs Steph McGovern she was awarded ‘Yorkshires Teenage Fundraiser’  In 2019 we were honoured to be invited to the Palace of Westminster for Ella to receive a British Citizen Award.

 Continuing with our promise...

As part of our Promise to support finding a cure, Yorkshire’s inaugural JDRF - The Promise Ball - was held in November 2017. The event attracted a significant amount of interest and was considered to be one of Leeds’s finest Charitable Balls of the year. This biennial event has become the highest attended JDRF event of its kind in the North.  Due to a large generous participation, the Promise Ball raised a combined total £60,000.00 to support JDRF continue with the great progress it is making finding a cure. This highly anticipated event takes place in Leeds in November. (Diabetes awarness month.) If there is one event you choose to support then The JDRF Promise Ball is undoubtedly one that can deliver, giving your guests a night to remember whilst supporting the work of JDRF’s mission to cure Type 1 diabetes. Our audience is guaranteed and allows advertising to 500 potential customers
across the North of England. Don’t miss your opportunity to secure fantastic brand exposure at Yorkshire’s
JDRF Promise Ball.

Proceeds from the Promise Ball support JDRF and their mission to achieve a world without Type 1 diabetes.

To support the event please contact debbie@promiseballnorth.co.uk or follow our social media for updates.

Please join us in supporting JDRF to cure Type one diabetes.

love from Debbie (Ellas mum) Xx