Stepping up to fight diabetes

DIABETES sufferer, Louis Molyneaux is urging Durban residents to support the Durban Wellness Festival on Sunday, 11 November and help raise much-needed funds for Diabetes SA Durban.

Molyneaux’s own story explains why she devotes so much of her time to the organisation and the many South Africans who are impacted by diabetes.

“About 26 years ago I knew only one diabetic. But, as we had worked together for 10 years I knew a lot about the condition.”

“One morning as I opened my eyes I remember realising that I too, was suffering from diabetes. My husband laughed, my doctor’s sister laughed and my doctor even laughed. But no-one laughed when the blood results showed a glucose level of 22!” she recalls.

She explains that when one has diabetes, one’s body is either unable to make enough insulin or it is unable to correctly use the insulin it does make.

As a result, the glucose in your bloodstream cannot move into your cells to be used as energy and builds up in the blood stream.

Damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels is irreversible and diabetes has been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, eye disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, lower limb amputations, sexual dysfunction as well as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

ALSO READ: Join the walk for health

Molyneaux points out that, because of lack of funding and staff, there is little or no diabetes education available in the state system. Diabetes South Africa attempts to reach out to diabetics but, with no funding from government, this is a huge challenge.

“I encourage as many people as possible to take part in the Durban Wellness Festival which is held every November.”

“We average 1 500 walkers which is minute when compared to the other fun runs held in Durban throughout the year. We desperately need more people to support this and other fund raising activities,” she said.

This year’s event, which will be held on Sunday at 8am at Durban Amphitheatre, forms part of the Durban Wellness Festival which celebrates all things healthy. All proceeds generated from the 5km fun run/walk will go towards Diabetes SA Durban. To take part in the event or to exhibit, contact Pat Bonini on 031 201 2169 during office hours or email: mw.nerve@mweb.co.za.

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