Hi, my name is Louisa Povey and I am a sufferer of type one diabetes. This means my body stopped producing insulin in the pancreas thus it is no longer able to regulate blood glucose levels. Insulian is vital as it enables our bodies to use glucose from the food we eat for energy and growth.

Without it, we die. 

People with type 1 diabetes rely on multiple injections of insulin or pump infusions every day just to stay alive. 

This is not a cure.

I am lucky enough to have been given an insulin pump almost two years ago. This has dramatically improved my quality of life. I am no longer plagued by sore injection sites from six injections a day and my blood glucose levels are much more regular. However, I still have to test my glucose levels six  times a day and balance life with my diabetes.

I am also faced with the threat of horrifying complications later in life. Type 1 diabetes can reduce life expectancy by twenty years, it is the most common cause of blindnesss in people of working age, the leading cause of non traumatic amputation and brings a five-fold increase in the risk of heart disease and strokes. 

I don't think many people appreciate how much diabetes controls our lives. Diabetics have to be mathematicians, physicians, personal trainers and dieticians. It is a 24/7/365 day job just to stay alive. 

The JDRF is totally focused on type one diabetes, it is a charity run by people with type 1, for people with type 1.They give a voice to people with type 1 diabetes and campaign for increased focus on and funding for research to find the cure. 

I am asking for your support to help the JDRF give me my future back. In June, I am travelling to New Zealand with two close friends. I am planning to participate in a tandem skydive even though I am terrified heights! I want to use this as an opportunity to raise as much money as possible for such a worthwhile charity that is truly dedicated to helping people like me. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Louisa