Bite put on diabetes

DIABETES has affected Cranbourne’s Sarah Swallow in more ways than one.
After her mother, grandparents and uncle were all diagnosed with different types of diabetes, she herself suffered from gestational diabetes during her first pregnancy.
This means she now has a one in three chance of developing diabetes later in life.
Mrs Swallow along with her sister Rachel Grimsey are organising a Great Australian Bite to raise awareness and money for Diabetes Australia.
“It is important people know that the disease is out there and that they could be affected by it. A lot of people out there are undiagnosed,” she said.
The event, to be held in Cranbourne next week, is one of many fundraising lunches being held around the country to help Diabetes Australia identify the undiagnosed and research, prevent and find a cure for the illness.
In 2002, Mrs Swallow developed gestational diabetes, which had to be very carefully controlled through diet.
“If I didn’t have my sugar levels under control I could have affected my unborn child, potentially having him born with a sugar dependency,” she said.
She said the experience was, in fact, a blessing in disguise.
“Now I know I have a high chance of getting diabetes and must be very careful,” Mrs Swallow said.
“I have to stay within my healthy weight range, exercise regularly and watch what I eat.”
Her son Deegan, now four, was born healthy and unaffected.
However, her sister Rachel said their mum Irene Johnson’s health was not great at the moment, with careful monitoring required to control her type two diabetes.
The family will hold a Great Australian Bite street sausage sizzle for all residents on Saturday, 12 May at 1pm at Fouz Mews in the Brindalee Estate.
The sausage sizzle will be free with a box for donations with all proceeds going to Diabetes Australia. For more information on the event contact Rachel on 0404 560 702 or for more information on diabetes see www.diabetesaustralia. com.au.