Supporters of Measure Up
Paul O'Grady: "I am delighted to lend my support to Diabetes UK's Measure Up campaign. It's really worrying that so many people could be going about their daily lives unaware that they have Type 2 diabetes.
"People can go undiagnosed for years and around 50 per cent of people already have signs of diabetic complications, such as heart disease, stroke and blindness, by the time they're diagnosed. This is just one reason why Measure Up is so important.
"The Measure Up roadshow is coming to Dover town centre on 14 and 15 November. I want to encourage as many people as possible who think they might be at risk of Type 2 diabetes to go along and get tested. Diabetes UK staff and healthcare professionals will be on hand to provide information and answer any questions."
Colin Dexter (Author): "Although diagnosed with diabetes in 1985, aged 55, it was only three years ago that I fully realised the dangerous link between obesity and diabetes. So I decided to cut out – yes, completely! – my intake of alcohol, and within two months I had lost two stones.
"I had left things very late. But it is my hope that all who are even slightly overweight will decide that they should get tested for diabetes and shed some of those excess pounds!"
Photo by Tim Rooke / Rex Features
Gary Mabbutt (former England footballer): "When I was diagnosed with diabetes it was a shock, but I’m glad I found out when I did, as left untreated diabetes could have caused me to have a heart attack, go blind, my kidneys to fail – any number of complications to my health.
"What’s worrying is that there are up to 750,000 people in the UK who have Type 2 diabetes, but don’t know it. That’s why I’m supporting Diabetes UK’s Measure Up campaign."
"The Measure Up roadshow is visiting 21 towns and cities during August to November. I want to encourage as many people as possible who think they might be at risk of Type 2 diabetes to go along and get tested."
Dr David Bull: "I think Measure Up is a great campaign. It’s really important that people know whether you are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
"Diabetes is something that can be controlled if caught early enough, but if left alone, it causes very serious complications. So I would urge everyone to take the two-minute test and get informed."
Jimmy Tarbuck, President of Diabetes UK: “Measure Up is essential in helping to identify the 750,000 people in the UK who have Type 2 diabetes but don’t know it.
"By the time people are diagnosed, around half already have evidence of complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and amputations.
“This campaign aims to make people aware of the risk factors such as waist size, weight, age, ethnicity and family history, and encourages people with at least two risk factors to get themselves tested.
“The good news is, if diabetes is diagnosed early and effectively managed you can live a long and healthy life. The sooner people are diagnosed, the sooner they can start taking control of diabetes to reduce their risk of complications.
“Having diabetes myself and having worked with Diabetes UK for many years, I am delighted to give my full support to the Measure Up campaign and raising awareness.”