Rebekah Reid, from Omagh, will be getting 12 inches of her hair cut off in aid of two charities. Her hair will be donated to the Litte Princesses Trust, who help children who've lost their hair to cancer treatments, and the money she raises will go to our local Northern Ireland branch as her younger sister was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Rebekah, aged 11, decided to take on the challenge to help raise awareness about the misunderstood condition that her sister, Zarah, aged 5, is living with. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 10% of the diabetes community.
No one knows exactly what causes diabetes Type 1 but it isn't preventable. It usually affects children or young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse quickly. People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin so daily insulin doses are required – taken either by injections or via an insulin pump. It is also recommended to follow a healthy diet and take regular physical activity.
Rebekah’s mother, Lorraine, said, ‘When Zarah has diagnosed little over a year ago, it changed everything for the whole family. Diabetes is a really serious condition and is still so misunderstood by many people. We are so proud of how Zarah has coped with all the changes and how she is taking control of her diabetes. We are equally so proud of Rebekah taking on this very brave challenge for her little sister. For Rebekah to cut off 12 inches of her beautiful hair to help others is a remarkable act of kindness and love.
‘We would really appreciate it if people would support Rebekah and help her raise money for a charity that has come to mean so much to us. Diabetes UK Northern Ireland has provided us with the support, information and friendship along the way and now, as a family, we want to help others too.’
Our Northern Ireland National Fundraiser, Naomi Breen, said, ‘I applaud Rebekah for taking on this brave challenge and for helping so many people as a result of it. Rebekah will get her hair cut on Monday 14 May in Beragh so we hope that she will get lots of support and more people will ask about diabetes so that we can help those living with this condition. There are over 100,000 people living with diabetes in Northern Ireland.
‘The more we know about diabetes the better we can fight diabetes together so thank you to everyone who takes on the challenge to raise awareness and funds to help this growing community and Diabetes UK Northern Ireland.’
To support Rebekah please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rebekahreid
