A diabetes ‘dating agency’ has been launched to try and boost research into a cure for the disease.
The idea, backed by the National Institute for Health Research, aims to put diabetics and researchers in touch to further research into managing and curing the conditions.
People of all ages and with any type of diabetes are being invited to register their interest in taking part in research projects. Once they’ve registered, they will be contacted by an NHS team to discuss how they might be able to help in the future. If a project comes up that they they may be suitable for, they will be offered the chance to take part and can decide then whether or not they want to go ahead.
The idea, which is being tried in three areas of England, including the north west, will help speed up the setting up of research projects and clinical trials. Researchers say about 30% of cancer patients may be taking part in clinical trials, but for diabetes that figure is less than 1%.
Around 2.8m people in the UK have diabetes with another 800,000 who may have the condition but be unaware of it.
If you’re interested in taking part please text research and your name to 81400 or sign up at www.researchforthefuture.org
Frequently asked questions about the project can be found at www.researchforthefuture.org/faq
