A SCHOOLGIRL demanding a fairer future for people living with type 1 diabetes has taken her fight to Downing Street.
Twelve year-old Millie Haigne, who lives near Lutterworth, delivered ‘Millie’s Manifesto’ to the Prime Minister’s home last week.
Millie – who has the backing of type 1 diabetes research charity Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) – wants to see a greater understanding of the difference between type 1 diabetes, where the pancreas does not produce any insulin, and type 2 where not enough insulin is produced or the body’s cells do not react to insulin.
Type 1 affects adults and children and those diagnosed are then dependent on injecting or pumping insulin for the rest of their lives. At present it is unclear why type 1 occurs and as yet there is no cure.
Millie’s manifesto also calls for greater access for all to the best type 1 diabetes technology, and increased government funding for vital research.
The Princethorpe College pupil – who was diagnosed with the condition aged nine – said: “I want politicians to understand the challenges facing people living with type 1 and as the General Election is approaching I thought the best way to get MPs’ attention and set the facts straight about type 1 was to create my own manifesto.
“I am lucky my GP recognised my symptoms and diagnosed my condition immediately and so I was able to get the treatment I needed but not everyone is as fortunate as me.
“Having taken the first copy to Downing Street, I will be sending copies of my manifesto to all current MPs and to parliamentary candidates urging them to find out more about this life-threatening condition that affects 400,000 people living in the UK.”
Millie is no stranger to campaigning: as an ambassador for the diabetes charity JDRF she visited the Houses of Parliament last year to lobby MPs on the issue, and also appeared on ITV’s Daybreak to discuss it alongside TV presenter and fellow diabetes sufferer Dom Littlewood.
And she will be taking her message across the Atlantic in July when she travels to the American Senate in Washington to attend the Children’s Congress.
Visit www.jdrf.org.uk/downloads/Public_Affairs/Millies_Manifesto.pdf to read Millie’s manifesto.
