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Giving Gordon a jab: Giant syringe delivers message to No.10

By slhaf | November 12, 2009

The world’s largest syringe made a rare appearance at Parliament today as messages of support for funding into type 1 diabetes research made their way to the PM’s front door.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) delivered the messages to the capital in a giant syringe in the run up to World Diabetes Day (14th November 2009) to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes, which affects about 350,000 people in the UK, including over 25,000 children. The needle, which peaks at 10,220 units, highlights the average number of injections that the seven people diagnosed with the condition in the UK today, will have to endure in one year just to stay alive.

The 14ft syringe finally met its match in Number 10 security, but luckily the charity came prepared and handed over the final messages to Downing Street in a blue briefcase, mirroring iconic ‘budget briefcase’ scenes.

The majority of the messages collected from those affected by the condition (57 per cent) called for the Government to increase its focus on type 1 diabetes research and support JDRF’s commitment to finding the cure. Further messages called for increased provision of insulin pumps across the UK and more training for schools in dealing with children affected by the condition.

Karen Addington, Chief Executive of JDRF, the world’s leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research said: “Insulin is not the cure for type 1 diabetes, it just keeps people alive. Incidence worldwide is expected to be 70 per cent higher in 2020 than 2005, so now is the time for the Government to act to help us cure this serious autoimmune condition. With a global research programme dedicated to finding the cure and the support of the UK’s leading researchers, JDRF will continue to lead the way, but we can not do it alone. Whilst the public continue to amaze us with their support, we need a commitment from the Government to help us reduce the impact of this life threatening condition.

“Everyday too many heartbreaking stories go unnoticed across the country, but with increased funding we can make a real difference to the lives of all those affected by type 1 diabetes.”

The 14ft syringe also made a later stop at the Houses of Parliament where MPs including Bristol West’s Stephen Williams and Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Paterson greeted families to discuss issues involved in increasing Government spending to end an apparent postcode lottery of type 1 diabetes treatment as well as other ways to tackle issues arising from the condition across their constituencies.

To find out more about JDRF’s support for World Diabetes Day visit www.JDRFaware.com

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