Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Diabetes is a serious condition affecting 4m people in the UK, a figure that has doubled over the last twenty years. It appears in two forms Type 1 and 2. My son, Ben, has Type 1, a condition that affects younger people resulting in rapid and irreversible destruction of the insulin-producing cells by an immune response, most probably triggered by a virus infection. 

Type 2 diabetes is far more common (90%) and is associated with risk factors such as weight, diet, exercise and lifestyle. 

Diabetes UK supports people with diabetes with a range of services, such as a help line, education, awareness campaigns and medical research. Ben has benefited from research in diabetes technology - he now wears an insulin pump which did not exist when he first contracted Type 1 at the age of 11, which enables him to administer insulin in smaller amounts, more frequently and with greater control. With the advances in insulin production and wearable devices, people like Ben can enjoy a full and active life-style. He plays squash regularly and has accompanied me on many climbing adventures; apart from a couple of close calls, never has his diabetes limited his ambition or impaired his performance. 

However there is no cure for diabetes as yet and Ben and others like him have to live with the risk of long term complications such as damage to eyes, heart, kidneys and feet. 

I would like to support the continued research into diabetes in the hope that one day a cure will be found.

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