News

11th November 2002

MEP's Diabetes Initiative

John Bowis - Conservative Member of the European Parliament for London and Health spokesman – has shown his support for World Diabetes Day – which will take place on Thursday 14th November 2002. John Bowis has announced that next week in the European Parliament, he has arranged for free eye and blood tests to be made available for MEPs, Commissioners and staff in an attempt to help detect the condition and raise its profile.

Speaking from the European Parliament in Brussels, John Bowis said, “Thursday 14th November may not be a momentous day for many, but for over a 170 million people across the world – including myself – it is an important date in the calendar – World Diabetes Day. The aim of the day is to raise the public’s awareness of the condition, its causes, symptoms and forms of treatments.”

John Bowis continued, “I have continued to lead as normal a life as possible and have continued to enjoy the things that most other people do. I live with diabetes. In my case I think I am comparatively lucky - I test my blood every week, I take tablets of metformin twice a day and I take painkillers for the pain of the neuropathy in my feet. But I am not insulin dependent. I don't, as some of my colleagues do,have to be vigilant about regular eating or risk passing out, yet I am constantly conscious of the uncertainty that affects anyone with this condition, as to how it may develop.That gives me a very direct and personal understanding of so many people who are in a much tougher position than me.”

“One example of an extremely successful Diabetic sufferer who has gone on to achieve great things is the Olympic Champion and Gold Medal rower – Steve Redgrave. If any individual proves that Diabetes is not a limit to success, then he is surely that person.”