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Monday, August 11, 2008, 07:00
Ian Sinclair, aged 34, of Mutley, died in June last year when his blood sugar levels plummeted due to type 1 diabetes.
Ian's sister Maggie Symonds has told his tragic story in a bid to raise awareness of the devastating condition.
She spoke as Diabetes UK today released figures showing that more than 11 per cent of deaths in 20- to 79-year-olds in Plymouth are caused by diabetes type 1 and 2. This is one of the highest rates in the region.
Maggie joined the charity in calling for increased awareness and improved access to specialist diabetes care services to curb the growing "health crisis".
If current trends continue, one in eight (12.2 per cent) deaths among 20- to 79-year-olds will be attributable to the condition by 2010, according to Diabetes UK.
Maggie, aged 32, said: "I don't have diabetes, but I still live with it as a result of Ian's death.
"I am not trying to scare people unnecessarily, but, if by telling our story, people better appreciate the seriousness of diabetes, then maybe he didn't die in vain."
She said Ian, a 6ft 4in fitness and swimming instructor who was training to become a nurse, had a 'huge zest for life'. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2000.
"As far as he was concerned a little thing like diabetes wasn't going to stop that – he didn't want to let it rule his life," said Maggie.
"After a number of years of living well with the condition, he started having trouble managing his blood sugar levels, which led to him having more frequent 'hypos'."
A hypoglycaemic attack, or 'hypo' – where the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood drops – can cause death on rare occasions.
"Even a small cut on his finger was enough to bring on an episode, and this worried us immensely, as Ian was living on his own at the time.
"If it was a particularly serious 'hypo', someone had to be there to help him.
"Then, suddenly, one evening, our worst nightmare came true – Ian had a 'hypo' on his own at his flat, slipped into a coma, and died."
Maggie, who lives near Redruth in Cornwall, raised £1,900 for Diabetes UK with a fundraising event held on Ian's birthday – May 25.
Diabetes UK says areas with the highest percentage of diabetes-attributable deaths are those with a higher than average proportion of the population under 40, and where there are large numbers of over 40s of Asian and black origin, who are at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
These areas also have high levels of deprivation compared to areas with the lowest proportion of deaths.
In Plymouth, 11.36 of deaths in 20- to 79-year-olds are caused by diabetes. The South West average is 11 per cent.
Jan Tyrell, Diabetes UK South West regional manager, said: "These new figures are truly alarming and confirm that diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing the UK today.
"Good self-management, awareness, and improved access to specialist diabetes care services are crucial if we are to curb this growing health crisis and see a reduction in the number of people dying from diabetes and complications attributed to the condition."
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TRAGIC: Ian Sinclair with his sister Maggie Symonds, who he gave away at her wedding
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