MATTERS OF INTEREST

RIDE TO CURE DIABETES

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:20): Today I would like to speak about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Ride to Cure Diabetes, which took place on 18 to 20 January. I am delighted to announce that the annual Ride to Cure Diabetes raised a record $1.1 million. Held as the official charity event of the Tour Down Under, the Ride to Cure Diabetes involved 270 participants from all over Australia, cycling a 35 kilometre, 80 kilometre, or 160 kilometre circuit through the beautiful Barossa Valley.

Each rider was challenged not only to cycle their chosen distance but to raise as much money as they could for research into type 1 diabetes. The Ride to Cure Diabetes is one of the major fund-raising events of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. There is also another event, which you would know about, Mr Acting President, the Walk for Diabetes, in which many members of this council took part last year. Many members of this council also sponsored a walker, and we raised about $10,000 for medical research, following which we were sent an appreciation plaque from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The Ride to Cure Diabetes is one of the major fund-raising events of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), a charity dedicated to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes through the support of cutting-edge medical research. Reflecting on the success of the event was Mike Wilson, CEO of JDRF, who stated that 'the result is an absolutely outstanding achievement, and we are truly grateful to all the riders who made this event such a success'. All the funds raised at this event will go towards funding the best Australian research into type 1 diabetes. Exciting new research that JDRF is presently funding includes the following:

Islet cell transplants: over 600 people with type 1 diabetes have received human islet cell transplants, effectively curing them of the condition. Whilst still in the clinical trial phase, this procedure is set to become a real clinical option around the world.

A JDRF trial in Australia demonstrated that the onset of type 1 diabetes can be prevented by a new nasal insulin vaccine, protecting high-risk children for at least five years.

An Australian research team discovered that taking a common hypertension medication can dramatically reduce the risk of kidney disease, preventing the onset of dialysis and kidney failure.

International clinical studies into a new immune-based treatment, anti-CD3, is showing great promise in reversing the auto immune attack on the insulin-producing islet cells.

Clinical trials of an artificial pancreas in the US and the UK have successfully maintained normal blood glucose levels in patients over an extended period.

A new government report confirms that type 1 diabetes is increasing. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released a new report confirming that the rate of new cases of type 1 diabetes in children is increasing. The report shows that around 6,100 children aged 14 years and under have developed type 1 diabetes over a seven-year period, with the rate of new cases increasing significantly between 2000 and 2005 from 19 to 23 per 100,000 children. During the same period there were just over 6,200 new cases of type 1 diabetes in 15 to 39 year olds.

This new report serves to reconfirm the urgent need for investment in medical research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications. JDRF will continue to identify and fund the world's best diabetes research. I am sure that, with the operation of the Diabetes Research Foundation and the support it receives from members in this chamber, we will continue to raise money to support research into a cure for diabetes.