Amyrose Cameron, 23, from Glasgow splits her time working as a nurse and volunteer Young Leader for Diabetes Scotland. She is also organising a ball to raise awareness about diabetes and vital funds for the charity. Here she shares how her type 1 diabetes diagnosis motivates her, tells us all about the exciting event, and how you can get involved.
Amyrose has volunteered for Diabetes Scotland for more than 8 years. Most recently she became involved as a Young Leader with Together Type 1, supporting children and young adults aged 11-25 living with type 1 diabetes.
Amyrose was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 13 years old.
She explained:
“Type 1 diabetes has made aspects of my life more challenging, however it has made me a more resilient person. My experience has led me into a career in nursing and passion for volunteering.
“The nurses and doctors in my paediatric clinic and the GP Practice Nurse whose intervention led to my diagnosis inspired me to go into nursing. I thought ‘I would love to have that effect on a child's life’, ‘I would love to be able to help children and their family the way she did’.
“I volunteer with Together Type 1 because I want to work with young people who may be struggling with a new diagnosis or experiencing diabetes burn out and support them to realise that you can live well with type 1 diabetes."
Amyrose decided to fundraise for Diabetes Scotland so more young people living with type 1 diabetes can benefit from the kind of support that she feels has been a lifeline.
She said:
“I’m hosting a charity ball to increase awareness of diabetes and fundraise for Diabetes Scotland. The support from the charity my family and I received when I was diagnosed was great. I want to raise money to give back to the charity. I’ve witnessed first hand the amazing projects Diabetes Scotland runs and how they directly improve the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes.
“I wanted to do something that I felt was me. Chatting with my mum I realised I like a night out – being with other people, dancing, enjoying something to eat and drink. So, from a dinner dance idea, has come my plan to host a ball. I’ve called it the Sugar Ball!
“I’m planning a lovely meal and drinks in a lovely hotel, with entertainment that includes live singing and a DJ.
“A key part of the night is to raise awareness about diabetes and educate people about what it’s like living with type 1 diabetes. I’m going to share my story, I’m hoping to have a clinician along to chat about diabetes, and I’m inviting guests to raise funds for Diabetes Scotland through raffles and activities designed to highlight aspects of living with the condition.
Amyrose is very clear about what she wants any funds raised to go towards. She says:
“I’d like most of the money to go into direct support for young people that the Diabetes Scotland provides, because I know how it helps. I also want some of the money to go into, children's only services, then depending on how much money I make, I’d like a little bit into like research as well."
For more information about the Sugar Ball, check out Amyrose on Instagram @thesugarball and use this link to book tickets.
Can’t make the Ball but want to support Amyrose? Email Amyrose to donate to the raffle and here’s Amyrose’s GoFundMe page.
