NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2012

The 2011 AGM was well attended reflecting the increase in numbers now regularly attending our monthly Group meetings.  Thanks go to Wendy Randall for organising the refreshments after the Annual General Meeting.

The new Committee.  At the AGM Dr Ann Kilvert and Dr Chris Lovatt willingly agreed to continue as President and Vice President respectively; the Group appreciates the time and support these 2 busy people give to the Group.  Paul Geldart, Chairman, Colin Davenport, Secretary, and Sam Baiden, Treasurer, were re-elected to their posts.  Wendy Randall was elected to the office of Vice-Chairman.

Committee members, David Baker, Ken Barton, Mike O'Pray and Annette Dunn, remain in post and the two remaining Committee positions were filled by Ron Hunt and Sean Courtney. 

The 2011 Programme.  We hope that there is something of interest for all of you.  The Group is fortunate that such highly qualified health professionals willingly give their time to provide up-to-date information about the treatment of diabetes.  We are also pleased  that Peter Shorrick, the Manager at Diabetes UK (Midlands), has agreed to come along to speak about the work of Diabetes UK.

Research Project.  In November 2011 the Group was able to donate £1000 towards a Diabetes UK Research Project into the causes of Type 2 Diabetes being carried out at Oxford University.  Diabetes UK has been very grateful for the donation.

Fundraising in the future.  Your Committee is always looking for ways to raise funds for research projects and for local initiatives such the Grendon Weekend for children with diabetes.  If you have any ideas for fundraising, please let the Committee know.  Your Committee is hoping to organise a Barn Dance in May 2012; we will let you know the details as soon as possible and we hope you and your friends and family will come along to support it.

The Group's website at www.daventry-and district.diabetesukgroup.org is well worth a regular visit to keep up to date with what is happening or contact the Secretary on 01327 702055 or at colind54@talktalk.net.

We look forward to seeing you at meetings and events.

Diabetes UK

Diabetes UK has produced a checklist of what care you should receive if you have diabetes.  It is available either on-line (diabetes.org.uk) or in the latest edition of 'Balance - Issue 4 2011'.  

From 1^st October 2011 the way HbA1c levels (long term blood glucose levels) are measured will change.  People with diabetes should receive an HbA1c test at least once a year.  The HbA1c result will in future be given in millimoles per mol (mmol/mol) instead of as a percentage (%).  Diabetes UK has set up a converter on-line (www.diabetes.org.uk/HbA1c) so you can see how your old result compares with the new one.

Are you troubled about  Exercise and Hypos?

An informative website on www.runsweet.com may help you.