DIABETES UK

WHY DO YOU NEED TO SUPPORT DIABETES UK?

Diabetes is the number one health threat in the UK.

Right now there are 2.9 million people living with the condition. Estimates suggest a further 850,000 people have diabetes but are unaware, or have no confirmed diagnosis.

Another seven million people are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and the numbers are rising dramatically every year. If current trends continue, by 2025 five million people in the UK will have diabetes.

Contrary to prevailing public belief, diabetes is a serious condition. Each year 75,000 people with diabetes die as a result of the condition or related complications, which is 24,000 more than we would expect. Diabetes is also a leading cause of blindness in people of working age, and a main contributor to kidney failure and amputations.

Half of all deaths from diabetes result from cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. The widespread and rapidly growing scale of Type 2 diabetes is alarming, as are treatment and care costs.

Last year, NHS spending on all diabetes conditions topped £10 billion. Of this £8 in every £10 went on managing complications that are, with good preventive care, avoidable.

Diabetes UK relies on your support.  We do not receive any government funding.

• We help people manage their diabetes effectively by providing information, advice and support
• We campaign with people with diabetes and with health care professionals to improve the quality of care across the UK’s health services.
• We fund pioneering research into care, cure and prevention for all types of diabetes
• We campaign to stem the rising tide of diabetes

By cycling for Diabetes UK you can be sure that every pound will be spent wisely.  Please download our "Where your money goes” document for further information.