Diabetes Detection Drive

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31974, 29 April 1969, Page 16

Diabetes Detection Drive

A recommendation i that a diabetes detection drive be made at the /Canterbury Agricultural • and Pastoral Association's annual show in November, was approved t at the annual meeting of - the Christchurch Diabetes Society last evening. J The president (Mr E. . Blain) said in his annual eport that it was vitally neces- • sary that the society’s work • and aims be brought more 1 forcibly before the public. > Support of this recommends--1 tion could bring a public awareness of the society’s 1 concern for public health and , the future diabetic Mr Blain said that it was ■ hoped to have the assistance , ! of the Department of Health 1 ; for the project. : From a blood sample any i ; diabetic tendency or trace < ■ will be determined and the , • patient referred to his ownji idoctor for treatment. ,i

Similar drives had been held in Auckland for several years, said Mr Blain. The meeting also agreed to recommend to the incoming committee that consideration be given to the establishment of organised holidays for the elderly diabetic, a common feature in diabetes associations overseas. “This could well be a feature of our work and with proper supervision and planning could give these people the ooportunity of enjoying a holiday and visiting those places they would not attempt on their own," said Mr Blain. Mr Blain said that the most significant event of the year was the establishment of the Diabetes Research Fellowship and the start of the work by the appointee, Dr C. J. LovellSmith. "Meinbers of this society can be proud of the fact that by their magnificent work and co-operation in fundraising efforts for the fellowship. their work has been an outstanding example to all other members of the national association," he said. ■

n Mr Blain said that the 11 Christchurch society had been able to send $750 to the nao tional association for the reg search fund from the sale of n greeting seals. t The secretary (Mr R. G e Harris) said that the annual n sales stall was an important i- part of the society’s fund raising efforts and in the last i- three years it had raised i $1162. :- Mr Blain said that mem- » bership of the society was g stationary. "Much more » thought has to be put into int creasing our membership. We . are doing work which will t benefit members and those asr sociated with them who may ; become diabetics in the > future.” Officers elected were: Presi- - dent, Mr E. Blain; vice-presi-dents. Messrs B. H. J. Wil•iliams and J. S. Chambers; t secretary. Mr R. G. Harris; ;■ committee. Mesdames D ■ Turner. M. J M. Bettridge. • F. Dempsey and V. Pearson i and Messrs B. W. Eades. F I Dempsey. S. Foster. V. Lloyd and T. I. Egerton: auditor. Mr IC. Halliday