We support young people with Type 1 Diabetes in Southeast Asia.
Type 1 Diabetes is a condition that strikes indiscriminately and if untreated is fatal. However, with the right care and support it can be effectively managed.
Unfortunately, many people in Southeast Asia still do not have access to the medication that they need to survive and thrive.
We believe that no matter where you are from or how much money you have, every person has the basic right to life. Not having access to insulin or blood testing equipment is a violation of this fundamental human right, and that is why we strive to save and transform the lives of young people with this chronic condition.
About Type 1 Diabetes:
The facts:
- Type 1 Diabetes strikes indiscriminately.
- Type 1 Diabetes is currently an incurable, life-long condition.
- Someone with Type 1 Diabetes must be able to manage their blood sugar levels artificially in order to survive.
- If they do not receive medication, Type 1 Diabetes leads to serious and eventually terminal medical complications. They included blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage and heart and blood vessel disease.
The key to survival:
Our story: deciding to address Type 1 Diabetes in Southeast Asia.
In July 2015, Charles Toomey turned to a doctor in a hospital in Myanmar and asked him how many patients he knew with Type 1 Diabetes.
‘Unfortunately, we do not have many people with Type 1 Diabetes living in Myanmar,’ he replied.
However, there are 400,000* people living with Type 1 Diabetes in the UK which is approximately 1 in every 160 people.
With this ratio in mind, you could expect to have over 300,000 people living with the condition in Myanmar.
From the Doctor’s response, it was clear that this was not the case.
Why was Type 1 Diabetes not being diagnosed? How could we help?
That evening, Charles rang Jerry Gore, an old-friend with Type 1 Diabetes, and asked if he was interested in raising some money and awareness for young people in Myanmar with Type 1 Diabetes.
Jerry said yes.
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