Diabetes organisation stalwarts honoured

MARVELLOUS MOLLIE: Mollie Kainuku QSM, diabetes nurse and Diabetes Wairarapa patron, receives Life Membership for her years of service to the diabetic community.

A stalwart of Wairarapa health services and a young man coping with his long-term health condition were honoured by Diabetes Wairarapa last week.

The support organisation held its AGM in Carterton last Wednesday evening, where patron and specialist diabetes nurse Mollie Kainuku was presented with Life Membership for her years of services to the region's diabetic community.

Mrs Kainuku, from Taueru, received a Queen's Service Medal (QSM) for her contributions to the health of the region -- including establishing diabetes clinics at Papawai Marae and Cameron Community House, advocating for funding of insulin pumps and improving access to diabetes services in South Wairarapa.

Diabetes Wairarapa president Finlay Sutherland said the organisation felt it fitting to "do something special" for Mrs Kainuku in recognition of her QSM and dedication to her patients.

"I think Mollie was a bit stunned by it all," Mr Sutherland said.

"She was marvellous; on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"If a patient called her, she'd never just answer their problem over the phone; she'd pop in her car and come and see them, no matter what she was doing at the time."

Also honoured at the AGM was Diabetes Wairarapa member Curtis Goodley, who was presented with the inaugural Eddie Bannister Memorial Award for good management of his diabetes.

Curtis, 17, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 11, and was nominated for the award by a diabetes nurse.

Mr Sutherland said Curtis had managed to keep his illness under control through strict diet management and regular insulin shots.

"It is hard for young people as they have been very self-disciplined in looking after themselves -- sometimes they need to give themselves injections five or six times a day.

"The nurses do see people fall off the wagon.

"But Curtis has done well keeping healthy on his own -- he's a great young fellow."

Curtis' award, to be presented annually, is named after long-time Diabetes Wairarapa member and patron Eddie Bannister, who died in 2013.

Eddie was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1953, and received the Charles Burns Memorial Award for control of diabetes with insulin for a period of 50 years or more.

His son, Joe Bannister, presented Curtis with the award.

Diabetes Wairarapa is the main support organisation for people in the region living with either Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes.

Mr Sutherland said there are about 2500 with diabetes in Wairarapa, not all of whom are members -- but membership has jumped from 50 to 120 in the last year.

"There have been a few branches of Diabetes New Zealand that have folded recently, so we're going against the trend."

For more information about Diabetes Wairarapa, go to www.diabeteswairarapa.org.nz.