News and Stories

Around the World with Diabetes

Maëlle Bocher from France is an extraordinary twelve-year-old with diabetes. Maëlle was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes aged five. In January 2006, Maëlle and her family embarked on an exciting sailing journey around the world. The family, who lives on their boat, have sailed the Atlantic and spent 18 months living in small villages on the African coast. They are now sailing around Brazil and the Amazon. The ongoing adventure is a dream come true for Maëlle and her parents who at first believed that their daughter’s diabetes would make such travels impossible. To read more click here.

Zenun's Story

The youngest and smallest baby in the world to use an insulin pump

Tiny tot Zenun from Middlesborough is 20 months old and has been on an insulin pump since he was born in September last year.  Zenun was 9 weeks early and weighed 2lbs 4ozs, just over a bag of sugar! To read more click here.

Steve Dixon's Story

Sky TV presenter Steve Dixon was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 17 years old, mid-way through his A-levels. Now 34, he has achieved a successful career as a news presenter, and is a big advocate on the importance of self-management to carefully monitor his diabetes.  To read more click here.

Sunshine Diet

Newly published research suggests vitamin D supplements could reduce the risk of young children developing Type 1 diabetes later in life. Children who took the supplements were 30% less likely to develop the diabetes than those who did not. The higher and more regular the dose, the lower the likelihood of developing the disease. Previous research found that people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes have lower than average levels of vitamin D. The study appeared in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Katherine's Story

Climbing Kilimanjaro was something I had always wanted to do. At 5,895m, it was not only the highest point in Africa but also the highest freestanding mountain in the world!! However having had diabetes since the age of 10, I thought it was something I could only dream of.  To Read more click here.

OsKar the hypo dog

Elly Graham is the proud owner of OsKar, who can take credit for being the UK’s first Hypo Awareness Dog. Elly has had diabetes for 26 years, having been diagnosed as Type 1 when she was 13 years old.  To Read more click here.

A Monster breakthrough – the Gila Monster and diabetes

In 2005 the US Food and Drug Administration approved a drug for the management of type 2 diabetes, Byetta (exenatide), a synthetic version of a protein derived from the Gila monster's saliva.  To read more click here.