Spreading the word about diabetes

Rennie Naidoo, the founder of Caring for Diabetes, said that she started the organisation after her mother was diagnosed with diabetes. “My mom had a sugar ulcer and had to have her leg amputated. This was when I realised I needed to find out more about the disease,” she said.

Naidoo explained that diabetes is so widespread that there is scarcely a person who does not know at least one person living with diabetes and that person is often a family member.

“Diabetes is hereditary but can also be caused by diet, lack of exercise and stress,” Naidoo said. “The incidence of diabetes is worst in the Indian community where 13 percent of Indians are living with diabetes.”

Caring for Diabetes works in conjunction with the Department of Education and the Department of Health to both educate the public about the disease and offer medical care to sufferers and free screenings to the public.

One of the main initiatives of the organisation is the supply of wheelchairs to disadvantaged patients whose limbs have been amputated because of diabetes. The organisation also runs a mobile unit which offers blood circulation massages to people with diabetes. “We mainly offer services to the disadvantaged and the aged,” Naidoo said.

Naidoo is eager to spread the word about diabetes. “There is a lot of emphasis placed on other diseases but not on diabetes, yet it is one of the most prevalent and dangerous diseases in our society,” she said.

Naidoo is available to give talks and do diabetes screenings at schools and other institutions. The organisation is also looking for volunteers and funding to continue spreading the word about diabetes.

For more information contact Rennie Naidoo.

Details: 011 074 5707011 074 5707; info@caringfordiabetes.co.za; www.caringfordiabetes.co.za