story by: CREZ DICKENS

In May’s issue of Rotary Digital, we are focussing on a disease that is now a global epidemic with more than 537 million people suffering from it. Many people have diabetes but don’t even know it.

It is the leading cause of kidney failure, non-trauma lower limb amputations and loss of vision. There is an increased risk of heart disease and stroke if the disease isn’t managed properly.

Sadly, around the world millions with diabetes are not able to access life-saving treatment and lack the means to manage their condition.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose.

Type one diabetes is a lifelong condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin properly.

Rotary Action Group for Diabetes aims to address the problem by raising awareness to the humanitarian hearts and minds of Rotary members and other organisations who could help.

Dr Noel Alidio from the International Federation for Diabetes said it was a challenge to get insulin and testing strip supplies to those who need them.

She said: “We cannot wait any longer. The International Federation for Diabetes has called for national governments to provide the best possible care for people living with diabetes, and those at risk. It has been over 100 years since the discovery of insulin and yet some people still cannot always get access to good care.”

One in ten adults worldwide have the condition. Over 90% have type 2 diabetes. Close to half are not yet diagnosed. In many cases type 2 complications can be delayed or prevented by adopting and maintaining healthy habits. Knowing your risk and what to do, is essential to support prevention, early diagnosis and timely treatment.

RAG Diabetes can help provide access to the latest information, projects, funding and opportunities. They can signpost leaders in the field to clubs and districts who want to undergo a global project. They are also on Facebook.

Given the demographic of Rotary and the epidemic of diabetes, several hundred thousand of our 1.2 million members would qualify for this category. RAG Diabetes are urging Rotarians to join them and help change the future of this disease.

Robert Morris Rotary Great Britain & Ireland lead for Rag-Diabetes and Chair of the Rotary Board here said: “In the UK we are calling for champions to come forward to help raise awareness of diabetes.

“Clubs could also hold information symposiums, invite speakers to talk about the disease, correct nutrition, healthy lifestyles, exercise and so on.

“It is early days for Rag-Diabetes in the UK but there are challenges for the management of the condition. There are big challenges in the Philippines and America where numbers are high.”

For more information and to get involved, visit the Rotary Action Group for Diabetes website.