Diabetes charity launched in Guernsey

Sunday 07 October 2018

Helping people to live well with diabetes is the aim of a new charity which has launched in Guernsey.

Diabetes Guernsey held its official launch party last Wednesday at La Villette Hotel (pictured above) with the charity’s patron, the Deputy Bailiff, Richard McMahon, in attendance lending his support to the charity.

The charity's chair said they want to support local people with diabetes, as well as their families,and to raise awareness of diabetes through education to help with earlier diagnosis and understanding.

“Living with diabetes can be hard work, and being able to discuss diabetes related issues with someone who really understands is vital,” said Steph Black, chair of Diabetes Guernsey (pictured above, middle).

“Our goals as a charity are to provide peer support, increase knowledge to ensure that more people understand what diabetes is and fundraising to run campaigns and events to raise awareness of all aspects of diabetes," she said. 

Initially, the charity is arranging events for children and young people with their families, as well as setting up support groups for all affected. Ms Black said events will be held throughout the year and support groups will aim to meet up regularly. 

Diabetes Guernsey’s first fundraising quiz is being held on Saturday 10 November at the Grammar School.

Pictured: Tests for diabetes have changed but the facts surrounding the condition remain the same. 

Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to convert glucose from food into the energy needed to survive. The body needs a hormone called insulin to convert glucose into energy. There are over 350 people in Guernsey with Type 1 diabetes and there are also likely to be thousands of people with Type 2 diabetes in the island but the exact statistics are not yet known. 

People with Type 1 diabetes are unable to produce any insulin – it is an autoimmune condition and it is not currently preventable or curable. 

People with Type 2 diabetes are able to produce some insulin, but the body either does not produce enough, or the insulin it does produce is not efficient. Type 2 diabetes can be avoided or reversed in some cases with life-style changes. 

Pictured top l-r: the new charity committee Sarah Ferguson (secretary) Steph Black (chair) and Emma Bendel (treasurer).