As part of World Diabetes celebrations this year, Diabetes Ireland will be kicking off events with its Diabetes Health & Wellbeing Exhibition taking place in the Strand Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick from 12 noon to 4 pm on Sunday 5th November.
This free event will provide an array of attractions for the public such as Blood Pressure checks, Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessments, Weight and Waist Circumference assessments and CPR Introduction sessions along with a range of education workshops for people living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes that will run throughout the day.
There will also be a wide range of companies exhibiting on the day, showcasing the latest medical technology along with a broad range of healthy living stands and other diabetes-related services and professionals in attendance to answer queries from attendees.
Ms Jenny Dunbar, Diabetes Education & Support Co-ordinator, Diabetes Ireland said “This is only the second time the exhibition will be held in Limerick and is the first event we have held since 2019. Normally, we see over 1,500 attendees at this flagship event, and I hope to see similar numbers this year. We are keen to see as many people living with diabetes and their families and those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes attend the event. Since 2019, there have been a lot of developments in relation to diabetes management so the focus of our education sessions will be on optimum management, updating attendees on good management techniques and new medicine & technology developments.
We will have a range of expert speakers on the day. For parents, Dr Orla Neylon, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist and Dr Muiriosa Connolly, Clinical Psychologist both from University Hospital Limerick will be speaking on the benefits of using diabetes technology to improve the management of Type 1 diabetes and on the emotional aspects of dealing with a diagnosis, living daily with Type 1 diabetes, and offering advice on positive coping strategies. For children, we also have Bernardo the Magician, who will be hosting his magic show on the day. Similarly, Dr Tomas Griffin, Consultant Endocrinologist, University Hospital Limerick and Dr Sonya Deschenes, Assistant Professor, UCD will be providing similar insights for adults with Type 1 diabetes.
For adults with Type 2 diabetes, Dr Eoin Noctor, Consultant Endocrinologist from University Hospital Limerick will outline the care people should receive now and, in the future, and will be supported by Ms Tonya O’Neill, Senior Dietitian and Ms Louise McHugh, Senior Podiatrist who will be offering advice on eating healthy and caring for your feet respectively.
“This is a great opportunity for the local diabetes community and their families to come out and hear directly from the experts. With so much diabetes expertise under one roof, it’s an event not to be missed and I would urge everyone to avail of this great opportunity” Ms Dunbar concluded. For further information on the speakers and exhibitors at the Diabetes Health & Wellbeing Exhibition, visit www.diabetes.ie.