Over 1600 people attended the Diabetes Health & Wellbeing Exhibition in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork on Sunday 11th November.  This was a fantastic event to kickstart World Diabetes Week celebrations taking place all this week.

Attendees availed of free tests such as HbA1c (which is the average blood glucose level for the previous three months), Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose Screening, Weight and Waist Circumference assessments, education workshops with high profile speakers and access to many exhibitors showcasing a range of the latest medical technology, healthy living stands and other diabetes related services and professionals.

Interestingly, the average HbA1c range of those with Type 1 Diabetes tested on the day was 63mmol/mol (higher than the recommended target level of 53mmol/mol) while the Type 2 Diabetes average range was 52mmol/mol. For World Diabetes Week, Diabetes Ireland is working in partnership with MSD (Ireland) to launch a social media campaign “First Things First” to raise awareness among the diabetes community of the importance of getting glucose control within target range (see facebook.com/diabetesireland).

125 people availed of a free diabetes health test with 13 referred to their GP for further testing and review. A further 100 people availed of free BMI and waist circumference checks on the day with everyone receiving advice on steps they could take towards a healthier lifestyle.

The education forum topics also proved very popular with presentations ranging from the latest developments in diabetes research and technology developments, reversal of Type 2 diabetes, importance of exercise in Type 1 diabetes management to how gut bacteria affects your health and the importance of good oral health from a diabetes perspective.

At the event, Diabetes Ireland hosted a medal awards ceremony for people who have lived well with diabetes for 50 years. Charity Chairperson, Professor Hilary Hoey, who has worked for the past 50 years in diabetes presented the awards and also shared her memories.

Ms Pauline Lynch, Diabetes Ireland said “The Exhibition was all about Education, Awareness and Empowerment for People with Diabetes. The attendance ranged in age from the very young to the elderly and the feedback was there was something for everybody on the day.  The event showcased the range of products and services that encourage Self-Management and all round wellness. Diabetes Ireland would like to thank all the staff, volunteers, speakers and attendees for making this event so successful, we are looking forward to 2019”.

Diabetes Ireland is also hosting an All-Ireland Diabetes Paediatric Conference for healthcare professionals in Dublin this week plus many community/workplace diabetes awareness events nationwide. Visit www.diabetes.ie for further information on diabetes and upcoming events. ENDS.