Diabetes is one of the most common and serious chronic diseases. The incidence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing: in the USA, 30 million people have diabetes, and 1 million more are diagnosed every year. This includes 18,000 children who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes each year. 

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. But in most people with type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system — which normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses — mistakenly destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin performs the critical job of moving sugar (glucose) from the bloodstream to the body's cells. Sugar enters the bloodstream when food is digested. Someone with type 1 diabetes produces little or no insulin. As a result, glucose builds up in their bloodstream, where it can cause life-threatening complications.

On a personal level, Samantha Weir's sister, Zoe, has diabetes and with the help of her supportive family around her has been managing the illness....so the cause is close to all of us.

We hope to raise awareness and also support programmes that will help children to thrive and to be healthier while having the disease.  

Diabetes Action is a highly rated charity with consistently low overhead. Thank you for donating to Diabetes Action to help fund diabetes research and education.