Three months ago my 13 year old daughter Daiyna was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a GP appointment. Daiyna’s symptoms started very suddenly and included increased appetite, increased thirst, urinating more often than usual, tiredness and overall change to her mood. After being admitted to the children’s ward at Ninewells Hospital and after an overnight stay the Doctors managed to get Daiyna’s blood glucose levels to a suitable range. After a morning visit from the Diabetes Team to educate us all about the medical and dietary needs to be put in place for Daiyna to continue to live a normal teenage life she was discharged. 

The following three months have been a learning curve for my family as we continue to learn about the world of diabetes. Daiyna has been a superstar throughout the whole journey taking every injection, every high & every low in her stride. 

Although at the moment there’s no cure for type 1 diabetes, the leading diabetes charity, Diabetes UK campaign for better care, provide vital support and fund groundbreaking research into new treatments. 

I have decided to take on the challenge of the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon 2022 in Glasgow October 2nd aiming to raise as much funds as I can to support Diabetes UK and also raising more awareness of type 1 diabetes and the symptoms before diagnosis. My personal best for a half marathon is 1 hour 42 mins 20 seconds and I’d really love to better that In what is my 40th year on earth. This being my first half marathon attempt since 2019 I am slightly anxious about how it will go but whatever aches & pains I endure between now, then and after it’s nothing compared to the fight my daughter Daiyna   and millions like her are most likely going to be facing for a lifetime. 

There are nearly 5 million people in the UK who are living with diabetes, daily frustrations, checks, injections and highs & lows.  Every two minutes someone learns that they have diabetes. There are no days off and there is no cure but by sponsoring me you can help make a change.  By donating to support Diabetes UK you are making sure that everyone gets the care they need to live well with diabetes and avoid complications.  Your money will go towards making sure that there is always someone there when individuals or families affected by diabetes have questions or need to talk to someone.  

You are funding vital research that has already helped stop complications like blindness, funded the first insulin pen and develop new technology like the artificial pancreas. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for helping to make a difference to all the everyday heroes who are living with diabetes today. 

Thanks,

Gavin.