Celt helps lads battle diabetes
A couple of local lads were joined by a football star to help put the boot in diabetes.
Matthew Rankin, 11, of Cathkin Primary and Zak Whalen, seven, who goes to Bankead, were joined by Scott Allan of Celtic to promote Diabetes Week.
All three suffer from Type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, affecting a person’s blood sugar levels.
The charity Diabetes UK was raising awareness of the condition by having a coaching session and games at Toryglen Regional Football Centre.
The aim of the event, which saw Scott play with the youngsters, was to show that diabetes should not stop you being able to play sport.
Matthew said: “It can be annoying having to manage my Type 1 diabetes every day, but it doesn’t stop me from doing anything. I can still play sport and have fun like everyone else.
“I was excited to meet Scott and hear about how he manages his Type 1 diabetes when he’s playing football. It’s great to see him play because it shows everyone that having diabetes doesn’t have to stop you doing the things you love.”
Zak added: “I got diabetes when I was two and I have an insulin pump.
“When I play football my dad takes my pump off me and we just have to check my blood before and after I play to make sure my blood sugar is OK.
“It’s really cool to meet Scott because he’s like me - he has Type 1 diabetes and he plays football!”
Over four million people are living with diabetes across the UK including over 276,000 in Scotland.
Type 1 affects around 10 per cent of those diagnosed while Type 2 accounts for almost 90 per cent of cases.
However there are still many misconceptions about the disease and what it can cause.
Diabetes UK’s current campaign is centred around ‘setting the record straight’, raising awareness of the condition and letting people know what it is really like to live with.
Scott Allan said: “It’s great that Diabetes UK is ‘Setting the Record Straight’ for this year’s Diabetes Week.
“Diabetes is very misunderstood and a lot of people believe the myths surrounding the condition.
“There are some who think that people with Type 1 diabetes can’t play sport but I think I’m an example of how wrong that assumption is.
“I’ve lived with Type 1 diabetes since I was three, and I’ve never let it hold me back.
“I’m pretty sure none of the children at the event are letting the condition stop them from doing what they want to do either.”
More information on Diabetes UK can be found at www.diabetes.org.uk