Five hundred children with acute type-1 diabetes interacted with an international cyclist, Brias Dacal, who himself shares their plight. Mr. Dacal, who was detected with type-I diabetes at the age of seven, currently leads an all-diabetes cycling team.
Mr. Dacal asked the children to continue playing sports as diabetic children can be athletic as well.
On Saturday, he rode from Osmania Hospital to Diabetes Research Society in the city. Throughout the cycle ride, the 25-year-old interacted with children under the supervision of endocrinologists Rakesh Sahey, Vijaysekhar Reddy, Bipin Sethi and P.V. Rao. The event was organised by Team Novo Nordisk-Hyderabad, which runs four centres in the city to support children with type-1 diabetes.
Speaking at a media conference after the event, Mr. Dacal said his cycling team aims to inspire people, especially children, who suffer from diabetes.
Explaining type-1 diabetes, Dr. Rao, retired professor and HoD of department of endocrinology, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, said, “Everyone with type-1 diabetes requires insulin from the beginning and continuous management. This puts a heavy psychological and economic burden on the whole family”.
India has 1.25 lakh children and young adults of less than 20 years of age who are affected by type-1 diabetes, the doctors said. This is the second most common chronic disease found in children in India. Reiterating the need to create awareness on physical activity in diabetes management, Melvin D’souza, managing trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation, said: “We have a mission to ensure that every child with type-1 diabetes lives a healthy life. Having examples like Brias Dacal, makes children with diabetes and their parents hope for a positive future.”
