Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where a person’s pancreas produces no insulin and occurs when the body’s own defense system (the immune system) attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.  What causes the immune system to do this is not entirely known. People with type 1 diabetes rely on multiple insulin injections or pump infusions every day just to stay alive.

 

It affects approximately 400,000 people in the UK, and more than 29,000 of them are children.  The rate of people affected by type 1 diabetes is increasing by four per cent annually particularly in children under five, with a five-fold increase in this age group in the last 20 years.

 

It is a chronic, life threatening condition which has a life-long impact on those diagnosed with it and their families.

 

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1977 at the age of 6.  Ever since I have had to control my condition by insulin injections, starting off on 2 a day, then 4 a day, and then for the past 10 years using an insulin pump which is connected to me 24/7 and pumps insulin continuously.  That equates to over 32,000 injections, plus all the blood glucose tests I have to carry out every day (6-7 a day).  Fortunately my diabetes is well controlled however there are a number of risks related to either poor control or having the condition for a long time, including kidney failure, nerve damage, stroke, blindness and amputation.

 

JDRF is the type 1 diabetes charity, improving lives until a cure is found. The Charity funds research to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes.  JDRF provides information for children, adults and parents living with the condition, at all stages from diagnosis and beyond. They give a voice to people with type 1 diabetes and campaign for increased focus on, and funding for, research to find the cure.

 

The JDRF Tour de Type 1 is a 118 mile cycle ride following the first stage of the 2014 Tour de France, starting from Leeds Town Hall, passing into the spectacular scenery of The Yorkshire Dales National Park, through the Dales into Wensleydale through Hawes, through the Cathedral city of Ripon before finishing back in Harrogate.  And as if cycling 118 miles in a day is not challenging enough, I will have to contend with trying to monitor and control my blood glucose levels during the ride and afterwards – should be interesting!

 

 

So please dig deep and donate what you can.  Thank you.