Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates, pictured with diabetes sufferer Melanie Stephenson, attended a joint event hosted by Diabetes UK Cymru and the Diabetes Peer Support Programme at the Assembly to mark World Diabetes Day.
The event was held at the Assembly’s Ty Hywel building in Cardiff on Wednesday 11 November in advance of World Diabetes Day on Saturday November 14. During the two-hour event, Mr Bates AM heard about both charities’ work and also had the chance to talk to people living with diabetes.
Diabetes UK Cymru provides advice, information and support for people with diabetes and their relatives and also funds vital research into the condition. The pioneering Diabetes Peer Support Programme helps and advises people living with diabetes in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr Tydfil and Caerphilly.
Attending the event also enabled Mr Bates AM to pledge his support for raising awareness about the condition, which is increasing rapidly across Wales.
Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates said: “I was delighted to attend the event hosted by Diabetes UK Cymru and the Diabetes Peer Support Programme.
“More than 6,200 people have now been diagnosed with diabetes in Powys and a further 1,200 have the condition but don’t yet know it.
“The event for World Diabetes Day was a chance to raise awareness about the condition and to talk about what’s being done in Wales to support people living with diabetes.”
Dai Williams, National Director of Diabetes UK Cymru, said: “We were really pleased that Mr Bates AM attended the event.
“Diabetes is rising rapidly in Wales with more than 230 more people being diagnosed with the condition in Powys in the last year alone.
“We need to do everything we can to stop the ticking timebomb of Type 2 diabetes in Wales and the World Diabetes Day event was the perfect chance to address what can be done.”
Wendy Gane MBE, coordinator of the Diabetes Peer Support Programme, said: “The number of people being diagnosed with diabetes is increasing every year and we need to ensure that people with diabetes, their families and carers have access to patient education.
“This will enable them to make informed choices about the self management of their condition.
“World Diabetes Day gives both organisations the opportunity of raising awareness of the issues that affect children, young people and adults with diabetes across Wales.”
