CANNING VALE resident Rachel Lamb (21) has returned from Dubai after representing Australia in the Young Leaders in Diabetes program as part of the World Diabetes Congress.
The inaugural youth event was the staging ground for future leaders in global diabetes advocacy and formed an important part of the congress.
Diabetes WA chose to sponsor Ms Lamb’s attendance in Dubai because of her forward-thinking ideas and passion for diabetes advocacy.
With 366 million people now living with diabetes globally, the most significant issues raised by the youth leaders included global access to life-saving insulin, mental health and raising awareness of the condition.
“Having type 1 diabetes means I depend on a regular supply of insulin to survive, “ Ms Lamb said.
“I’m lucky that this isn’t a problem for me. In many developing countries across the world, insulin is a luxury, which means that diabetes is a death sentence for many children and young people.
“Through the Young Leaders in Diabetes program, I hope to help turn this situation around and make an impact.”
The next World Diabetes Congress will be held in Melbourne in December 2013.
The last time the congress was held in Australia was in Sydney almost 25 years ago (1988).