A diagnosis of diabetes doesn’t mean you are going to get poor health no matter what. The condition affects 3.9 million UK residents and with the right education, people with it can take control of their health and lead long and healthy lives.

Last week to mark World Diabetes Day, national charity Diabetes UK raised awareness of the diabetes education courses which it believes can aid the people having Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes via its ‘Taking Control’ campaign.

Alwoodley’s 42-year-old Diana Oakes has been dealing with her diabetes for so many years. She was diagnosed with at the age of 11 in Romania, her birthplace.

She said that with changing advices and treatments, one must have up to date information and support as it is very important to manage diabetes. She added, “I credit education for my current good health and lack of severe complications after over 30 years with diabetes. I would encourage anybody living with the condition to find out if there is a course available to them”.

Diabetes UK has said that support can aid people in making their quality of life better and in cutting their risk of developing preventable problems like kidney disease, stroke and amputation.

Regional manager at the charity, Stephen Ryan, said that all those who have diabetes must have access to education from the moment they get diagnosed with diabetes and afterwards throughout lives.