On Friday 29th April 2011, following diabetic complications, Yolanda Luisa Acuna Ocana died. She was 39.

On Sunday 6th July 2014,  which would have been Yo's 43rd birthday, Damian, our wonderful brother is going to be running 10k to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes, to raise funds to help find a cure and to keep our beautiful and much missed sister Yolanda's memory alive. This is going to be a big challenge for Dam as he has never run a race before and only started running recently. I am going to run with him to support him on route although he will probably run me into the ground! Yo would have been so proud of Dam doing this for her although as always she would have thought we were both mad as a box of frogs and ask why not just get a cab! Darling Yo, we miss you more every day and love you.

In loving memory of a beautiful daughter, sister, niece and friend, Pauline, Nicky, Pamela, Cori, Helen and Sally walked the London Bridges on Sunday 17th November 2013 to raise money and awareness for Diabetes UK. Nicky, Yolanda's sister also suffers from type 1 diabetes. We walked 10miles and 12 London Bridges and thanks to your support have raised over £1000. Yo would have thought we were mad to have done it but would have been waiting with a glass of champagne in hand to celebrate the achievement. Miss you more every day my darling sister and you will never be forgotten. 

Yolanda 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.