Sir Steve Redgrave fronts diabetes eye awareness campaign

[DCUK NewsBot]

Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave is fronting an eye awareness campaign to help people with diabetes understand the importance of regular screenings. Sir Steve, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1997 aged 35, is planning to raise awareness with his agent and manager Julian Barlow, also a parish councillor for Compton Bassett, during National Diabetes Week in June. Eye complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts, can be common in people with diabetes which is why the two men are encouraging people to attend eye health appointments on a yearly basis. Speaking to the Gazette and Herald newspaper, Julian, who was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes too, said: "I have worked with Sir Steve for the past 15 years, particularly in the area of healthcare, and he is still one of just a handful of athletes to have competed at a senior level in an endurance sport, in spite of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. "It was widely reported before he won his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal that he had been diagnosed, but he still went on to win which was an incredible achievement." Sir Steve said: "I have worked all over Europe with Julian, especially in relation to raising awareness of diabetes and how important it is to integrate its management into your life. "Now that he has been diagnosed himself he has given a new perspective on the disease and has been able to identify the most appropriate partners as we move towards National Diabetes Week in June." Diabetes Week takes place in June annually, where the diabetes community comes together to raise awareness of diabetes and prevalent issues within diabetes care. This year Diabetes Week occurs between 11-17 June.

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