Mark Hunter MP helps shine the spotlight on type 1 diabetes in Parliament

Mark Hunter met with local resident Joe Watson at a Houses of Parliament event on 11 March to discuss type 1 diabetes, and the impact that this serious and complex condition has on Joe's day to day life.

Sixty adults and children that live with the condition were chosen to attend the event by JDRF - the global type 1 diabetes charity. Those invited were selected from across the country to represent sufferers from their local area.

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unclear, but it is not linked to lifestyle or diet. A child diagnosed with it at the age of five faces up to 19,000 insulin injections and 50,000 finger prick tests by the time they are 18. The condition affects 400,000 people in the UK - equivalent to more than 600 people in Cheadle constituency - and incidence is growing rapidly, particularly in those under five years old.

Mark said:

"It was a pleasure to meet Joe this afternoon, and talking with him and his mum has highlighted to me the true impact of type 1 diabetes upon those that live with it, their families, and the country as a whole. On behalf of all local residents that live with the condition, I will be writing to the Science Minister David Willetts to ask him how research into type 1 diabetes can be better supported."

Karen Addington, Chief Executive of JDRF, said:

"We'd like to thank Mark for attending and helping to make it such a resounding success. The incidence of type 1 diabetes is going up and so is the cost - but UK Government spending on type 1 diabetes research is falling. Thankfully, more people are now uniting on this issue and we can be hopeful of achieving significant change."