People with diabetes and their families are being encouraged to attend a major health and wellbeing event this weekend.

The Diabetes Health & Wellbeing Exhibition takes place on Sunday, November 13, in Dublin. This free event will include education workshops, health checks and an opportunity to see the latest medical technology that is currently available and speak to healthcare professionals working in diabetes care.

The workshops will cover issues such as stem cell research and foot care and health checks will include blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.

The event is encouraging families to get involved and there will be entertainment for children, including a magic show and face painting.

The event has been organised by national charity, Diabetes Ireland, which was originally set up in 1967 to lobby for free insulin for those affected. It achieved this by 1971, however today, the charity is busier than ever due to the increasing incidence of diabetes. Around 220,000 people in Ireland have the condition and this figure is expected to increase in the coming years.

This major exhibition will also see the launch of the charity's 50th birthday celebrations, which will take place throughout 2017. At the event, 12 people who have lived well with diabetes for at least 50 years will be presented with medals.

The charity's president, Prof Gerald Tomkin, and chairperson, Prof Hilary Hoey, who have both worked for the past 50 years in this area, will present the medals and share their memories.

Speaking ahead of the event, Prof Hoey, said that this is a day ‘to celebrate life with diabetes and see just how far technology has come in terms of improving management of the condition'.

"Prior to the discovery of insulin, people who developed diabetes had no future, but today with new technologies, medications and more knowledge of the condition, people with diabetes can live a full life and this is what we are celebrating," she said.

The Diabetes Health & Wellbeing Exhibition takes place on Sunday, November 13, from 12-5pm, at Chartered Accountants House, 47-49 Pearse Street, Dublin. Anyone affected by diabetes or anyone who feels they may be at risk is urged to attend. The event is free of charge.

For more information on Diabetes Ireland, click here