Myths about diabetes are being busted as health chiefs bid to boost awareness of what people with the condition can and can’t do as Diabetes Week starts today.

A survey has revealed almost a fifth of people incorrectly thought people with diabetes could not donate organs or tissue.

Another common misconception included that suffering from diabetes barred you from being a firefighter, while a third of people wrongly thought people with the condition could not eat sweets.

Barbara Young, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: “People with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are all too often told ‘you can’t’.

Barbara Young, Chief executive, Diabetes UK
Barbara Young, Chief executive, Diabetes UK

“There are many myths surrounding diabetes that can get in the way and the fact that many people still think that people with diabetes cannot join the organ register, eat sweets or become a firefighter shows that there is still a long way to go before we explode these myths.

“This is why we want this year’s Diabetes Week to focus on the positive stories of people overcoming the challenges of the condition to celebrate those people who have changed ‘you can’t’ into ‘I can’.

“There are countless men, women, and children who have the condition but overcome hurdles every day to get the most out of their lives. You only have to look at the examples of Steve Redgrave and Theresa May to see people with the condition not letting it hold them back.”

At the start of Diabetes Week (June 9 to 14) Huddersfield health chiefs have joined the campaign to tackle the growing prevalence of the condition.

Across Calderdale and Greater Huddersfield there are an estimated 26,000 people diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Doctors say the levels, particularly of Type 2 diabetes, are set to increase due to high obesity levels, an ageing population and a growing population of ethnic minorities.

Calderdale and Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Groups are working together through the local Diabetes Network to improve care and support for people with diabetes.

Dr Judith Parker, NHS Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), who is joint chair of the Network, said: ”Diabetes is a growing problem that needs to be addressed urgently.

“Good diabetes care means people are less likely to develop complications such as foot problems, heart disease or stroke.

“There is a lot of good care going on locally but there are still improvements to be made.”

For more information about Diabetes Week visit www.diabetes.org.uk

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