A major conference aimed at helping people who are living with type 1 diabetes is to take place in October.

‘Thrive-abetes' is aimed at adults living with the condition, as well as the parents of children with it. The event is being organised by three volunteers with the national charity, Diabetes Ireland, who are hoping to bring together ‘the largest gathering of people with type 1 diabetes in Ireland'.

One of the organisers, Grainne Flynn from Clare, was herself diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 22 years ago, when she was 20 years old.

"I spent seven years in isolation before I met another person with diabetes like myself. These days, with the help of social media, I have found a whole community of people with diabetes and it has made a huge difference in my ability to persevere with the challenges I face. In October, at least 200 of us are going to meet face to face at Thrive-abetes," she told Irishhealth.com.

The one-day conference will focus on the psychological impact of living with a chronic, lifelong condition, but it also aims to provide ‘inspiration, motivation and information' to those affected.

"Since we started planning this event, we have been overwhelmed with the amount of support we have received from the online diabetes community, from healthcare professionals and from the diabetes industry," Ms Flynn said.

Speakers at the event will include:
-Dr Kevin Moore, a consultant endocrinologist in Tallaght Hospital and Naas General Hospital
-Joe Solowiejczyk, a certified diabetes nurse and family therapist, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for over 50 years
-Kate Fakakerly and her daughter Isobel, who was diagnosed at the age of two. Isobel is now 24 and both mother and daughter will attend. Kate is also the chairperson of the Families with Diabetes National Network UK, a network of parents in England who represent the views of families with type 1 diabetes.

Commenting on the event, Kieran O'Leary, CEO of Diabetes Ireland, urged people to attend.

"The organisers have been working for the past 18 months to pull this excellent programme together and people with type 1 diabetes should not miss this opportunity to learn more about managing their condition," he said.

The event will take place on Saturday, October 3, in the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth, Co Kildare. Conference tickets cost €35 per person or two for €60. To purchase a ticket, click here or for more details, click here, or email thriveabetes@gmail.com