New Glucose monitoring system for diabetes youth

8 April 2005

New Glucose monitoring system for diabetes youth

The Southern Lakes Diabetes Youth now has a new Glucose Monitoring System to benefit young people with diabetes, thanks to a SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust grant of $7,500.

The Glucose Monitoring System will be used to collect information on glucose patterns over a 72-hour period to provide doctors with accurate knowledge of a child's blood sugar levels. The Glucose Monitoring System will also be used for people of all ages with diabetes.

Southern Lakes Diabetes Youth is a sub committee of Diabetes Wakatipu, and focuses on supporting young diabetics aged 5-18 years. Currently it provides support to five college students, one primary school student and a child in Wanaka.

Adele Jackson, Co-ordinator Southern Lakes Diabetes Youth, says the organisation is there to provide help and a support network for the kids and their families.

"When the kids get together, they don't usually talk about diabetes, they just have fun and play. It's a good opportunity for the parents to meet and discuss what's happening with their children. With the constant changes in medical research the grant from the SKYCITY Queenstown Community Trust has enabled us to purchase equipment to keep up with the latest findings."

Mary Stamers-Smith, Chairperson of the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust, says the Trust is thrilled to support the Southern Lakes Diabetes Youth.

"The Glucose Monitoring System is a fantastic piece of equipment that will not only provide important information to health professionals, but also give young people with diabetes a better chance of managing their health. It's essential that young people understand the importance of taking care of themselves so they avoid serious health problems in future," says Mrs Stammers-Smith.

The SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust has distributed more than $340,000 in funds since its establishment in March 2003. Funding by the Trust occurs annually, with applications invited in June. The amount donated to community initiatives will be either 2.5% of the net profit from the operation of the casino, or a minimum of $100,000 per annum.

ENDS

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