MEPs highlight child sufferers on World Diabetes Day

5.57.00pm GMT Thu 13th Nov 2008

Sarah and her husband Steve Hitchins, chair of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation UK, met 18-year old Londoners Fabien Moreira-Phillips and Sam Williamson (L in the photo) and Michal Jelinski, Polish Olympic gold medallist for rowing and a diabetic (R). Sam's motto is " "Build diabetes round your life, not your life round diabetes."

To mark World Diabetes Day (14th November), the European Parliaments working group on diabetes is next week hosting a discussion with children and successful sportspeople in Strasbourg, to address some of the challenges faced by young people living with diabetes.

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford, a keen member of the working group and campaigner for well-funded research to find a cure for diabetes, commented in advance of the meeting:

Every day over 200 youngsters develop diabetes, mainly 'Type 1' which is not triggered by diet or obesity. Countries with the highest rate of incidence are predominantly European, which puts an onus on Europe to take a lead."

"Managing the disease is a challenge for all children, but unequal access to modern care and advice mean that for some it is more difficult than it need be."

"The EU must facilitate an exchange of best practice between European countries so that knowledge of 'what works' is spread. All children with diabetes should be able to live full and active lives."