A coffee morning fundraiser in aid of the Diabetes Federation, Cork Branch, was held last Friday 5th August at the Church of the Holy Family Hall. Free screening for Diabetes was offered. The fundraiser was organised by Yvonne Smith and family. Her brother Frank passed away in January 2009 at  the age of 37. He had type 1 diabetes, he was diagnosed in 1998 in the UK while living there. He had managed it reasonably well and lived a full life.

He died in a hypo, a hypo is where the level of glucose(sugar) in the body drops, when this becomes very low the person is disorientated and would appear drunk like, they would need assistance in administering a glucose injection or even drinking something sweet to bring their level up so they could function.

Frank became low and was unable to assist himself and slipped into a coma, in most cases a person can remain in the coma for hours and when found is treated and they recover, unfortunately in Franks case he died of organ failure within a short time of going into the coma.

We are dedicated to diabetes awareness and education as we feel this is something we can do so this may save another person from tragically dying. Or at the very least make people aware and assess their lifestyle. Type 2 is a difficult one also as people remain high for long periods often they are unaware they have diabetes and this results in damage to the eyes, kidneys and limbs. It affects so many people and our mission is to try and help people understand diabetes and by the free screening hopefully prevent some people from developing it further.

All procceeds go directly to the Diabetes Federation, Cork Branch and will help to education and awareness in Youghal and the surrounding areas. A raffle was held with prizes of:

1ST PRIZE €250

2ND PRIZE €100

3RD PRIZE €75

4TH PRIZE €50

DIABETES FEDERATION CORK BRANCH , 32 GRAND PARADE CORK

021 4274229

Click here to visit the Diabetes Federation of Ireland website

The family of Youghal schoolboy Keith Phelan are determined to continue the fight improve his quality of life despite the closure of the centre providing his stem cell treatment in Germany.  The XCell Centre in Dusseldorf, had administered one treatment session for Keith’s cerebral palsy of treatment last month and the family hoped to return there for further treatment next year.

However the centre has been closed, temporarily at least, apparently in response to the German government implementing new EU guidelines on the provision of stem cell treatment.  “We have been told that the centre must apply for a new licence and naturally we are very disappointed,” says Keith’s dad Tony, “and as yet we don’t have any timescale on that.”

The centre’s website carries a brief notice indicating that “stem cell therapy “is currently not possible to perform” and regretting the need to cancel appointments “until further notice.” Updates on the situation are offered on completion of an online form.

While the closure marks a setback in Keith’s treatment it is not the end of the road in their quest to provide a better quality of life for Keith. As part of his on-going treatment, the XCell Centre had strongly advised that Keith travel to the German city of Unna, for a week of neuro-rehabilitation, involving physical and speech therapy. The family hope to meet this arrangement, for which efforts are continuing to raise the €5,000 cost.

The second youngest of four siblings, Keith suffered bleeding in the brain at birth, which has effectively rendered him almost paraplegic and prone to drooling and epilepsy. He attends the local Bun Scoil Mhuire and undergoes daily therapy, including a weekly 100 mile round trip to the Bandon Hyperbaric Oxygen centre.

Stem cell treatment involves removing bone marrow, harvesting stem cells and re-administering them, by injection or intravenously, into the body. The process is unscientifically unproven but practitioners believe the stem cells may replace or regenerate diseased tissue. While debate rage as to the treatment’s viability, it is claimed to help relieve a wide array of degenerative conditions, including cerebral palsy, stroke, MS, diabetes, spinal injuries, Parkinson’s, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and autism.

For the Phelan family, the XCell centre brought hope without promise. “We were told from the outset that there was no guarantee it would help Keith’s,” says Tony. “We certainly don’t expect a miracle cure but we will explore every opportunity to provide Keith with a better quality of life.”

Six months of fundraising initiatives saw the local community fund the €9,000 treatments session for Keith, who travelled to Dusseldorf with his dad and mum Margaret. Tony says the family were treated “very kindly and very professionally” at the centre.

The family was advised that Keith’s brain was formatted towards instructing certain responses and that “it needed re-formatting towards developing new habits,” says Tony.

The centre provided physiotherapy sessions and supplied a detailed programme of exercises to bolster this process. Depending on his progress, the centre would decide whether to recommend further stem cell treatment for Keith. .

Tony says Keith’s general condition and demeanour has improved since his return from Dusseldorf. “His posture is better, he is using his left hand for the first time and his reading has improved,” he says. “I can’t say categorically whether this is due to the stem cells, the physiotherapy or a combination of both,” he adds. “If the centre doesn’t re-open we will consider other options to give Keith the best future we can provide.” The X Cell Centre did not respond to inquiries for further information.