THIS week is National Diabetes Week. People will be shaking tins and organising fun events in an effort to raise awareness of the condition, and funds for the British Diabetic Association.

As president of the BDA and someone who also has the condition, I know at first hand that living with diabetes is not always easy.

Diabetes affects around three per cent of the UK's adult population, and that will probably include many of your readers.

People who are diagnosed later in life sometimes think because they are diagnosed with type 2 (non insulin dependent) diabetes and are not taking insulin injections that they have "mild" diabetes. Sadly there is no such thing.

Type 2 diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and lower limb amputation. Diabetes is also the largest cause of blindness in the working population.

It's not all bad news. I'm still going strong, and so are footballer Gary Mabbutt, Olympic rower Steve Redgrave. But what we would all like is for scientists to find a cure. Which is why the BDA launched Campaign for a Cure last year, specifically to raise money to fund research which we hope will one day lead to a cure.

National Diabetes Week is our special week, the time when we want to raise the profile of the BDA as well as raising money for Campaign for a Cure.

Readers who are kind enough to want to make a donation to the BDA during National Diabetes Week can do so by ringing Freephone 0800 60 70 60.

HARRY SECOMBE, President, British Diabetic Association.

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