A NORTHWICH couple are raising awareness of the symptoms of type one diabetes after losing their daughter-in-law to the condition 10 years ago.
Jan Cameron and her partner Andy Wilson are holding a golf tournament at Vale Royal Abbey Golf Club on Friday, September 16 in memory of Nicky Rigby, their daughter-in-law who passed away in 2012.
Nicky had developed diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes caused by a severe lack of insulin in the body.
Andy’s son Mark, and 26-year-old Nicky, were new parents to their five-month-old daughter when Nicky developed symptoms, such as extreme tiredness and weight-loss, that she had put down to the pressures of being a new mum.
She fell into a coma and sadly passed away before she was diagnosed with type one diabetes.
This is a condition where the pancreas cannot produce insulin which is needed to help the body move glucose from our blood into our cells where it is used for energy.
If not diagnosed and treated, it can lead to a medical emergency called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
DKA can develop very quickly and at different speeds for each individual – it could be from six hours to a couple of days.
Jan said: “It’s now 10 years since we lost Nicky.
“We wanted to do something in her memory and to support other people affected by diabetes.
“It’s so important to be aware of the symptoms, as anyone can get the condition.
“Our hope is that we can help prevent other families from losing loved ones.
“We’ve already had so many people show their support for the event from the local community and further afield.
“If anyone is interested in coming along on the day or taking part in the tournament, we still have some places left, so please do get in touch.”
Clare Howarth, head of the north of England at Diabetes UK said: “A person developing DKA will feel very unwell, with the symptoms including being very thirsty, needing to go to the toilet, and extreme fatigue.
“They may also feel or be sick, have stomach pain and be confused.
“If left untreated, it can lead to a coma and as tragically happened to Nicky, can even prove fatal.
“We’d advise anyone experiencing the symptoms of DKA to seek urgent medical attention.”
Visit diabetes.org.uk and justgiving.com/fundraising/Andys60thbirthdayCharityGolfDay
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