Candidates told cash needed for diabetes research

SUFFERERS of Type 1 diabetes are calling on candidates in the Holyrood elections to back the search for a cure.

Scotland has the third highest incidence of Type 1 diabetes in the world and numbers are increasing, although unlike Type 2 it is not triggered by poor diet or lack of exercise.

Charity JDRF and families, who have described their lives being turned upside down after their children were diagnosed, are appealing to tomorrow’s politicians to pledge their support.

Soenaid Anderson, from Kirkcudbright, said they live with constant worry after their 12-year-old daughter Maisie was diagnosed with Type1 diabetes. She said: “Maisie being diagnosed means our daily life is challenging. For 24 hours of every day we panic due to this life-threatening condition.”

Stewart Whiteford, from Fife, said his nine-year-old daughter Katie wanted a cure for her diabetes from Santa for Christmas.

He said: “Katie injects insulin four times a day, wears a glucose monitor on her arm permanently and takes readings more than 30 times a day.

“This will continue every day for the rest of her life. It removes all spontaneity in life. Everything must be planned, forecasted and measured. We constantly worry. I used to come home, give her a hug and ask, “how’s your day been?” Now I come home, give her a hug and ask, “how have your bloods been?”

The Holyrood candidates are being asked to sign a pledge calling upon the next Scottish Government to commit more funding to support Type 1 research.

There are 29,000 people in Scotland living with Type 1 diabetes and 400,000 in the UK as a whole.