A woman who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 50 years is going to mark the milestone anniversary by challenging herself with an abseil into a Lake District slate quarry.
Christine Deal, secretary of the Diabetes UK Chelmsford and District Local Group, will take on the thrilling feat on 19 July which is just over 50 years to the date of her diagnosis.
“My husband and I are both going to embark on the 150 feet abseil in the Lake District in recognition of me living with type 1 diabetes for 50 years,” said Christine (pictured) who launched the fundraiser during Diabetes Week.
“The money raised will be going to Diabetes UK to support their research into finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and also work into finding treatments which lessen the impact of diabetes complications, which is so important to me.”
Christine remembers her diagnosis very clearly as back in February 1971 she had originally been given tranquilisers by the local doctor who put her weight loss, thirst and gasping for breath down to ‘teenage hysteria’.
Christine said: “I remember waking up after being in a coma for 36 hours and finding out I had type 1 diabetes. It was a scary time, but I’m very grateful for all the research and medical advances in the care of diabetes which have helped me.
“I’m especially grateful to those amazing people who discovered insulin as it has enabled me to live a full and active life.”
Teresa Strange, East of England Fundraiser at Diabetes UK, said: "We want to thank Christine and her husband for taking on this amazing abseil. What an incredible way to mark this special anniversary. Last year we saw demand for our services reach record levels, while our own funding was significantly impacted. This year is still going to be very challenging and, more so than ever, people with diabetes need us, but we need your support to be able to continue fighting their corner.
“Without the help of generous supporters like Christine, we simply would not be able to offer support to the thousands of people with diabetes contacting our helpline, to campaign to keep people with diabetes safe in the workplace, or to invest in vital research – taking us a step closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.”
To support Christine’s fund-raising adventure visit https://gofund.me/02a632ec
