World diabetes day is celebrated every year on November 14th. It is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations, engaging millions of people worldwide in raising diabetes advocacy and awareness.

On 12th November Ann Milton, Minister for health, attended a World Diabetes Day awareness event at the cedar centre.

 
Other guests included patients who have successfully managed their condition for 50 and 60 years, children with diabetes, health care professionals from the Royal Surrey County Hospital, primary care and Surrey community health, researchers, representatives from the pharmaceutical industry and Nick Moberly, Chief Executive of the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

Ann Milton presented an Alan Nabarro medal to Colin Lewis, for living with diabetes for 50 years, and a Robert Lawrence medal to Anthony Tilcombe, for living with diabetes for 60 years.  She also made a short speach about the importance of raising awareness of health issuses such as diabetes and promised that “We will continue to do all that we can to make the health care services work for you”.

The event was organised by Professor David Russell-Jones to raise awareness of those living with diabetes and the ongoing provision of resources for diabetes.  He said:

It is always good to do something to raise awareness as the number of people who are likely to have diabetes at the moment is about 300 million worldwide.  Within the UK the current annual spend on diabetes is about £9 billion.  It is the leading cause of blindness in the UK, one of the most common causes of amputations and one of the most common causes of renal failure.  The message that we want to spread is that most of these complications are preventable with good care and management