Research plan for diabetes

By Jade Lawton
DIABETES is a silent killer.
Type 1 diabetes affects more than 140,000 Australians, about 20,000 of them children – yet Australian research into the disease lags behind that of the United States, UK and Canada.
This week the Federal Opposition announced a $35 million plan to establish a Clinical Trial Network, bringing Australia up to par with other countries in the race to a cure.
Upper Beaconsfield mother Jo Martin said she was ‘petrified’ when her daughter, Lavinia, was diagnosed in 2008.
“Type 1 comes with life-altering complications. Lavinia has anywhere from six to 10 blood tests a day. If she is low, she immediately needs a sugar fix or she could fall in to a coma.
“This network is great for everyone. It’s not just the child, but also his or her family; it’s a huge change for the future.”
Berwick resident Rosie Appleton said her son, 22-year-old James, was diagnosed with diabetes when he was seven.
“This is fantastic. There has been a huge shift in attitudes,” she said.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will chip in another $10 million to the Clinical Trial Network
La Trobe MP Jason Wood said the network would result in improved health and less complications for those with type 1 diabetes.
He praised the efforts of Lavinia – who phoned his office some time ago with the plea ‘don’t forget us’ – and vocal diabetes advocate Sue Alberti.
“This will co-ordinate all the national research. It’s a small price to pay to find a cure,” he said.