‘Put your Mind over Matter for what really matters’

As a self-proclaimed chocoholic, I’m using my role as an ambassador for Mind Over Matter Month to give up my chocolate addiction for the month of June.

My Dad lives with Diabetes so I’m passionate about supporting this initiative which raises critical funds and awareness of children and young people living with Type 1 Diabetes.

So please get behind my pledge and help me reach my goal of $5000.

To donate please visit my fundraising page.

About type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. It affects about 1 in 500 young people in Australia and the incidence is increasing at almost 3% per year.

Untreated type 1 diabetes is fatal, however even with modern therapies people with type 1 diabetes are still at risk of blindness, kidney failure and cardiovascular complications.

People with type 1 diabetes require multiple daily injections of insulin to stay healthy, this needs to be balanced with careful diet and exercise regimes. Young people with type 1 diabetes also need to perform many blood glucose measurements per day to ensure that they are not at risk of sudden loss of consciousness or coma.

Over the last 20 years with new therapies the incidence of the traditional complications of diabetes, such as kidney and eye problems, has greatly reduced. However, maintaining a healthy life can come at a cost and there is now an emerging problem of high levels of mental health problems amongst young people living with diabetes.

The Royal Children’s Hospital and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute are committed to investigating mental health and the emotional burden carried by our patients and their families.

“More than 1 in 3 of our kids has significant depression, anxiety or disordered eating, so mental health is right on the top of issues for us to deal with, not only for the patients, but their families as well. Diabetes is becoming more complex and as the incidence increases more trained doctors are needed to care for affected children and their families” - Mind Over Matter Month 2012 for The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Melbourne

The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne is the major specialist paediatric hospital in Victoria and provides a full range of clinical services and health promotion and prevention programs for infants through to adolescents.

The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation plays a vital role in providing additional funding to support important research projects and purchase state of the art medical equipment to ensure that every child receives the very best treatment now and into the future.

65 Roses Day for Cystic Fibrosis – Friday 25th May 2012

Today is 65 Roses day, a day to raise awareness for those living with Cystic Fibrosis and also to raise funds for much needed research and support programs.

I was first made aware of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) through my cousin (Kylie Alford), who has CF. My immediate family has now also been affected as my niece (Kari Prendergast) was diagnosed with CF at 2 weeks old. She is now 3 and you would not know she has CF, however that is largely due to the fact that her parents, Ian (my brother) & Renae are doing a great job in managing Kari’s Health.

As an Ambassador for CF, along with my husband (Daryl), we encourage all of our friends, family and sporting fans to donate to the cause or go to a participating florist between 21st and 28th May and purchase the specially marked roses for CF. $1 from every purchase will go towards the much needed research and services that people with Cystic Fibrosis need in everyday life. (Follow the link below for participating florists in Victoria)

“Everyday life for people living with Cystic Fibrosis is a challenge. Treatment is relentless: clearing lungs, fighting infection, battling malnutrition, struggling against exhaustion… the list goes on. The reality is that having CF means a shortened life and a costly one. With more funds, we know we can continue to work towards increasing life expectancy and improving the quality of life for people living with CF.”

How can you help?

Purchase the specially marked roses from your local florist on 65 Roses Day

• Every bunch of specially marked roses sold between 21 and 28 May will generate $1 for cystic fibrosis services and research. We urge you to support this cause by purchasing these specially marked roses from your local florist – just look for the 65 Roses Day stickers.

The phrase ’65 Roses’ has a long-standing link with Cystic Fibrosis. It was created when a small child who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis was unable to pronounce the name of the disease and said that he had ’65 Roses’. Since then, the rose has been the emblem of Cystic Fibrosis. 65 Roses Day falls on the last Friday in May each year and is the day designated Australia-wide to create awareness and raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis, the most common, life threatening genetic condition affecting young Australians.

ABOUT CF:

• There are approx 3,000 people living with CF in Australia. CF seriously affects breathing and digestion.
• People with CF may need to have up to 2 hours intensive chest physiotherapy (to help break up the mucus in their lungs so they can breathe) and up to 40 enzyme tablets (to help their digestion) every day just to survive.
• Due to advancements the average life expectancy of someone living with CF is now mid thirties, but there are still many children who do not reach adulthood.
• Approximately one in every 2,500 babies will be born with CF.
• There are a million genetic carriers of CF in Australia. As yet there is no cure.

WHAT CAUSES CYSTIC FIBROSIS?

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited recessive genetic condition. Amongst people of Caucasian ancestry 1 in 25 are genetic carriers for CF, usually without knowing it.

If a baby is born with CF, it means that both parents are genetic carriers for CF. However, even if they are genetic carriers, there is no guarantee that the child will be born with CF.

If two people are genetic carriers for CF and they have a child there is (with every pregnancy):

• A 1 out of 4 (25%) chance that the child will have CF
• A 2 out of 4 (50%) chance that the child will be a genetic carrier for CF
• A 1 out of 4 (25%) chance that the child will not have CF and will not be a genetic carrier for CF.

Click here to view participating florists in Victoria

If you would like to make a donation for 65 roses day simply click here