Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert helped Diabetes UK Cymru to talk diabetes by meeting people living with the condition at the National Assembly to mark Diabetes Week.
Jeff Cuthbert AM helped to mark the week, held from 12 to 18 June, by hosting and attending Diabetes UK Cymru’s event at the National Assembly’s Ty Hywel Building on Tuesday 14 June.
He attended the event as more than 10,000 people in Caerphilly – one in 20 – are now diagnosed with diabetes, a number which is growing every year.
During the event, held from 12.30pm to 2pm, Jeff talked to the charity’s volunteers about their experiences of living with the condition and discovered what is being done to support people with diabetes in Wales.
The event was inspired by the theme of Diabetes Week 2011, which was ‘Let’s talk diabetes’.
Jeff, who has Type 2 diabetes, said: “As more than 10,000 people in Caerphilly are now diagnosed with diabetes, I was delighted to show my support for Diabetes Week and Diabetes UK Cymru by attending this event at the Assembly.
“The event was a chance for me to meet people living with the condition in Wales and hear their stories.
“By talking about diabetes both at this event and outside it, we can help raise awareness about this serious lifelong condition and the differing experiences of people living with diabetes throughout Wales.”
Dai Williams, National Director of Diabetes UK Cymru, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to Jeff Cuthbert AM for helping us to mark Diabetes Week in the Welsh Assembly.
“Diabetes is rapidly rising in Wales and as more people are diagnosed we need to talk diabetes everywhere we can to help people to understand the condition and the support available to them.
“Diabetes UK Cymru can provide advice, support and information to people with diabetes and their families, including through our network of voluntary groups which meet monthly.”
For further information about diabetes, contact Diabetes UK Cymru on 029 2066 8276, email [email protected] or visit www.diabetes.org.uk/wales.
Diabetes UK Cymru is also marking Diabetes Week by working with Community Pharmacy Wales to organise for every Welsh pharmacy to offer free Type 2 diabetes risk assessments for a fortnight from Monday 13 June.
Jeff was also the founder and Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Diabetes until his recent appointment as the Deputy Minister for Skills.
