Rushanara Ali MP joined the Opposition Leader Ed Miliband MP along with other Labour colleagues at the launch of the Silver Star Diabetes Challenge at the Houses of Commons. At the special MPs testing event, held on Wednesday 19th October, Rushanara took the quick and simple Type 2 diabetes test to help raise awareness of the need for public testing for the disease.

Rushanara was also issued with a Silver Star Pedometer to measure the amount of steps taken during a Parliamentary Week as part of the 50 day challenge. The public can keep track of their MP on the Silver Star website and the winner of the 50 day challenge will be announced in February 2012. The key to preventing diabetes is physical activity and a healthy diet.

The NHS spends £1 million per hour on diabetes related illnesses and it is estimated that more than one million people in the UK are unaware that they have the condition. Rushanara said ‘The diabetes test was so easy. It only takes two minutes and can save lives. I hope my constituents will also take the test and I am looking forward to finding out the results of the pedometer challenge in February’.

Special Guest Hari Dhillon, Dr. Michael Spence on BBC’s Holby City, joined in the effort to highlight the problem of diabetes worldwide, ‘The evening was a triumph and I was delighted to contribute to such a worthwhile cause’. 

Silver Star launched in January 2007 is a registered charity campaigning to raise diabetes awareness. The Charity runs Mobile Diabetes Units (MDU) that carry out important diabetes testing. They seek to promote culturally sensitive healthcare, with particular regard to the high prevalence of diabetes in the major towns and cities of Britain. The Units travel to local community centres, schools, work places and other organisations. The Chairman of the Trustees for Silver Star, Dr Modhwadia said ‘The diabetes test is so quick and simple. I am delighted that so many MPs decided to take the test and be part of the Challenge. It will help raise awareness of this largely unseen health condition”