On Friday 29th April 2011, following diabetic complications, Yolanda Luisa Acuna Ocana died. She was 39.
She was on a waiting list for a kidney and pancreas transplant.
Despite over 20 years of struggling with this condition, Yolanda had maintained a relatively good quality of life up to August 2010, when she became hospitalised for what would be the first admission of many over a period of ten months.
Yolanda was initially treated for infected ulcers on her feet, not realising the extent of the infection due to diabetic nerve damage.
Very sadly this was the beginning of many more painful, distressing and life threatening complications which kept Yolanda in a hospital ward, away from a job that she loved, work colleagues she enjoyed, friends she adored and a large extended family she doted on.
It was heart breaking, frustrating and shocking to see the effects of diabetes on Yolanda, whose vitality, humour and passion for life were slowly being eroded by this condition.
This page has been set up in celebration of her life. That is what Yo would want. For you to remember her huge smile, her cheekiness, her kindness and Spanish affection, her love of fine food, and hatred of exercise, her insatiable book reading and thirst for culture. She would want us to remember all the good times, the dancing, the shopping, the giggles and the gossip.
By donating to Diabetes UK you can give Yolanda what she wished for - greater awareness and vital funding into continuing research.
This just giving page will be here for many years as a tribute fund in Yolanda's name. So any donations, fund raising, or sponsored events you may wish to participate in, the money will go directly to Diabetes UK.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate in memory of Yolanda.
