Taking a flying leap at diabetes

FOR two women the fear of heights is nothing compared to a life with diabetes.

Carmel Luetchford and Jane Bell will be taking one giant leap for diabetes as they skydive to raise money for the cause. . Picture: Rob Williams

FOR two Rosewood women the fear of heights is nothing compared to a life with diabetes.

Carmel Luetchford and Jane Bell will be facing their fears jumping from an aeroplane to help raise money for diabetes.

The pair are taking part in the annual Jump to Cure Diabetes in Coolumon on March 10, run by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Ms Luetchford has lived with type one diabetes for more than 35 years.

She said while treatments for the disease had increased over the years, the search for a cure was something close to her heart.

Carmel estimates she has administered about 40,000 injections, measured blood glucose more than 10,000 times and is constantly alert to the signs and symptoms of serious diabetes complications involving the eyes, kidneys, blood vessels and nerve endings.

She said the jump was a chance to have fun and face her fears while doing something worthwhile to the community at large.

"It's going to be very exciting," she said.

"It's a great opportunity to do something different and fun and raise money for something very dear to my heart."

To take part in the jump participants are required to raise at least $1000.

The pair has been organising fundraising events and is urging the community to get behind the jump.

An Australia Day gourmet dinner was held last week and a car rally will be held on February 19, with a wine and cheese night and op-shop fashion parade to take place on March 3.

Type one diabetes is a lifelong condition usually diagnosed in children and young adults.

It destroys the ability of the body to produce insulin, meaning a life of insulin injections, blood testing and dietary monitoring.

It cannot be prevented and the exact causes are not yet identified.

The disease affects more than 120,000 individuals with about six new cases diagnosed each day.

For further information on Ms Luetchford and Ms Bell's Jump to Cure Diabetes or to make a donation to their cause, please phone [phone] or 5467 6475.

Originally published as Taking a flying leap at diabetes