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I'm running to raise money for Diabetes UK - a charitable organisation that is very close to my heart: My nephew Jake Jackson was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on Christmas Eve at the age of just 13. 

Jake is now 18 and has bloomed into a totally top bloke, who loves his music and has the biggest heart you could ever wish for. 

But it's not all smiles for Jake: His day-to-day routine is dominated by "carb counting", which means that every time he eats or drinks, he has to inject himself and test his blood sugar.  In his own words: "Honestly it's just one of those things that you just live with, but there's not a day that goes by where I just say 'I wish I was normal, I wish I could eat a biscuit and that be that and not have to mess around with injecting myself, I wish I could just go for a normal night out drinking with my friends and not have to worry about my blood sugar, then worry about the "what ifs" so much you're scared to leave the house'".

"I also think people don't understand how much it effects people - not just physically but mentally too. And many people may joke about it in a light hearted way but Type 1 Diabetes is something you can't help."

Jake just wants people to understand and appreciate the life-changing impact that diabetes has on young children and would love to see Diabetes UK use the money to make things better for future generations.

He is my inspiration for going the distance.

So What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes (diabetes mellitus to give it its full name) is a life-long condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body’s way of converting glucose into energy is not working as it should.  Our bodies need glucose for energy. Glucose enters the bloodstream when you digest carbohydrate from various kinds of food and drink, including starchy foods (such as bread, rice, potatoes), fruit, some dairy products, sugar and other sweet foods. Glucose is also produced by the liver.

In people without diabetes, a hormone (a chemical messenger) called insulin carefully controls the amount of glucose in the blood. Insulin is made by a gland called the pancreas, which lies just behind the stomach. It acts as the ‘key’ that ‘unlocks’ the body’s cells to let the glucose in. The body’s cells then convert the glucose into energy.

Type 1 diabetes develops when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. As a result the body is unable to produce insulin and this leads to increased blood glucose levels, which in turn can cause serious damage to all organ systems in the body.

About Diabetes UK

Diabetes UK is the leading UK charity that cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of all people affected by and at risk of diabetes.

For more information on the great work that Diabetes UK do on a daily basis, please visit their website at http://www.diabetes.org.uk/

 

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