The Diabetesfonds is nominated by Sanne

One of the most common chronical illness in our country is diabetes; 1 in 14 has this disease, including my mom, who has had type 1 diabetes since I was born. Recent studies have found that the life expectance of people living with type 1 diabetes is, on average, 13 years lower then people living without it; for type 2 diabetes this is four years. These people often pass away due to the complications associated with diabetes, such as heart and vascular diseases. This news was quite shocking to me, and I can imagine that it had the same effect on others who know people with diabetes.

The Diabetesfonds is committed to prevent and cure diabetes, by conducting scientific research and providing education, such that people can live a healthy live without having to worry about their diabetes and associated complications.

In contrast to diabetes type 2, diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune disease that people are diagnosed with at a younger age. It therefore damages the body over a longer period of time, which causes the life expectance of people with type 1 diabetes to be drastically lower. The Diabetesfonds finances, amongst other things, hopeful research projects that seek to cure diabetes, such as an artificial pancreas. This would significantly increase the quality of life for people living with diabetes, such as my mom, as they would no longer have to measure their blood sugar levels multiple times a day and administer insulin and therefore can live a freer life.

Besides financing research, the Diabetesfonds also offers resources to increase the quality of life of those living with diabetes. They provide information in different brochures and guides, but they also have a large database of healthy recipes. Besides that, they also offer a(n) (online) community, where people can get in contact with others and share experiences.