Up to ten people who have been living with Type 1 diabetes for more than 50 years are to receive medals awarded by Diabetes UK at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on Friday 23 October.

Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the disease. As part of the support for Type 1 diabetics the organisation awards Nabarro and Lawrence Medals to people who have had Type 1 diabetes for 50 and 60 years respectively.

Dr Ketan Dhatariya, consultant diabetologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, will present the medals at the hospital’s Elsie Bertram Diabetes Centre on Friday 23 October at 1pm.

The occasion will not only celebrate a combined total of over 500 years of diabetes but will also herald World Diabetes Day on 14 November.

More than 27,000 people aged over 17 in the central and west Norfolk areas have diabetes and it is the biggest cause of renal failure and dialysis in younger adults, as well as being the most common cause of blindness in people aged between 30 and 65.

Type 1 diabetes must be controlled with insulin, while Type 2 diabetes usually develops later in life and may sometimes be controlled with diet and lifestyle changes.

Notes for editors

You are invited to come and meet / photograph the diabetes patients who are receiving medals on Friday 23 October at 1pm. Please make your way to the Elsie Bertram Diabetes Centre on the third floor (East block) and ask for Penelope Dennis.