DENIMS FOR DIABETES – GREYTOWN
Greytown Junior was invited by Diabetes South Africa to participate in a fundraising and awareness “Denim for Diabetes” day on Friday 4 May. We accepted this invitation as we are concerned about the health and wellbeing of the learners in our school. We thank Dr T. Nodada, our local doctor, who spoke to our learners on this debilitating disease. KZN has the greatest number of diabetes(1,2 million), in the country.
The following are the current statistics from the International Diabetes Federation, the World Health Oranisation and the Centre for Disease control:
- Every day 200 children develop type 1 diabetes.
- Every year,70,000 children under the age of 15 develop type 1 diabetes.
- Due to obesity and inactive lifestyles, type 2 diabetes in children is becoming a global public health issue with potentially serious outcomes.
- Type 2 diabetes affects children in both developed and developing countries.
- 30% of children born in the year 2000 are expected to become diabetic. If lifestyles changes are not made.
- Every 8 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes.
- Every 30 seconds a lower limb is amputated worldwide.
- There is no known cure for type 1 or type 2 Diabetes.
- There are more people worldwide dying of diabetes complications than there are of AIDS.
An amount of R2,500 was raised and sent to Diabetes South Africa which will be used to buy glucometers, testing strips for under privileged diabetic children, to run educational camps for them and provide support. We thank the parents and learners for their donations.
CAPE TOWN
Diabetes S.A. Western Cape held a one day seminar in September 2017 at the Fountains Hotel in Cape Town. The Seminar topics addressed Healthy Eating for Type 2 Diabetes, Diabetes & Depression, New Devices for Managing Diabertes and Diabetes Emergencies dealing with Hypoglycaemia, Heart Attack and Stroke.
Participants were from various groups in Western Cape (Mitchells Plain, Strandfontein, Bonteheuwel, Colorado Park, Langa and several participants from Grootte Schuur Hospital).
DURBAN
T1D kiddies camp
Thirty-eight children, two doctors, two nurses, a dietitian and other peer educators went to WESSA Umgeni Valley just outside Howick on a cold and wet weekend on 16th – 18th March. Despite the weather, great fun was had by all. They learnt about the environment as well as careful diabetes control.
PORT ELIZABETH
Young Guns
While most of our Diabetes Wellness Groups don’t meet during December and January, the enthusiastic Young Guns – children, teens and young adults – still met under the leadership of Paula Thom.
Jump for diabetes
In November, Waheida Soomar, the mother of one of our young Type 1s, arranged a Jump for diabetes at the indoor trampoline park. While the youngsters had fun and exercise, the parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts sat watching and chatting. We are hoping that this will become an annual event.
Social braai
In December, Lindy and Lee Farmer hosted an end-of-year bring and braai at their home. While the men made the fire and braaied, the others played 30 Seconds and had a fun, but educational quiz.
Sacramento Trail Hike
In January, the energetic enjoyed an 8km hike along the scenic Sacramento Trail. They walked from Skoenmaker’s Kop to Sardinia Bay where they stopped for a swim and to play on the sand dunes, as well as to have a snack and to test blood glucose.
Black Panther movie
In February, the teenagers and young adults had an outing to the movies to see the action-packed adventure, Black Panther.
