Richard Cruikshanks from Diabetes UK

Richard Cruikshank, from Diabetes Scotland, is the East of Scotland Community Fundraiser and a member of a team of thirteen.

Type 1 diabetes affects about 8% of the population. The pancreas does not produce insulin and the signs are often tiredness, thirst and loss of weight. Type2 affects mainly people over 40 but is increasingly affecting younger people. Often assumed, falsely, to be associated only with over those overweight. Many people are living with Type2 without realising, and educating about prediabetes is a task for Diabetes UK. Their website gives information on combating prediabetes, better diet, and more exercise for those with sedentary jobs. Untreated, diabetes can lead to eyesight problems and organ damage, including heart problems.

Diabetes affects about 315,000 people in Scotland and takes about 10% of the NHS budget. Diabetes Scotland is striving to take away the stigma associated with diabetes, as well as providing practical help. They provide a helpline, there is a support forum and they have had family day outs for Type1 sufferers. Not receiving Government support they rely on fundraising, with events such as the Edinburgh Marathon Festival and Kilt walks. In all, about £300,000 is the operating target. It is hoped that all under 18 sufferers from Type1 will have a continuous pump, one of the many advances in treatment, yet the root cause is still proving evasive.

Richard’s talk generated many questions at the end and Brian Gray gave a vote of thanks for such an interesting and informative evening.