Baby diabetes scare spurs family to raise cash

A FAMILY whose 19-month-old baby was within two hours of dying with type one diabetes are dedicating their lives to raising money to find a cure and raise awareness of the condition.

Kara Elwood, who suffers from type one diabetes. Picture: Contributed

Kara Elwood, from Glasgow, is lucky to be alive after being rushed to hospital suffering from breathing difficulties.

Her parents Chris and Corrine have now launched fundraising campaigns as a result of their close call and also arrange charity trips to Disneyland Paris.

Chris said: “The problem with diabetes is that not many people know of it or don’t think it is a serious health condition. In January Kara was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 19 months.

“Around 1pm, she started to become ill, but it did not seem like anything to worry about, I called the doctors to make an appointment and was told they were full and to call back the next day.

“Kara appeared fine. She was playing and doing everything as normal, At 8pm my wife Corinne noticed Kara’s breathing was a little unusual and I called NHS 111. At this point an ambulance was sent to our home. She was rushed to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital where she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

“The hospital was battling to bring her glucose levels down – they were considering transferring her to a London hospital due to how ill she was. We were told if we arrived two hours later she probably would not have survived.”

Luckily Kara survived and is dealing with her diabetes well.

Chris said: “We are dedicated to raising money and saving live. So far we have raised just over £14,000. We also arrange trips by coach, and upcoming trips include ones to Disneyland Paris in February.”

To find out more follow: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Chris-Elwood; www.facebook.com/events/897757283701877; and, www.facebook.com/supportteamkara