A WOMAN who lost her husband due to a complication from diabetes doesn't want anyone to "die of ignorance".

Joanne Green and daughter Natalia, 20, were devastated when Michael died from a "silent heart attack", a common but overlooked complication of Type 2 Diabetes.

In his memory, she launched the Michael Green Diabetes Foundation to raise money to help find a cure.

Since then they have raised over £70,000 and helped to open the Michael Green Dietetic Educational Kitchen at The Michael Clements Diabetes Centre in Watford General, as well as funding two specialist dieticians.

Fundraising has included a charity golf day at Hartsbourne Country Club in September with former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallagher which raised around £30,000.

Ms Green said: “I set up the charity because my husband died and neither I nor my daughter, who was 15 at the time, wanted anyone to die simply from ignorance.

“If someone hears that they’ve got cancer they go into panic mode, but they don’t if they hear they have diabetes.”

“Everybody should be furnished with the right information so that they can live a normal life and not be ignorant of the risks of Type 2 diabetes.”

The charity has been able to help closer to home too. The unit at Watford General have diagnosed Joanne and Michael’s daughter Natalia with insulin resistance, a condition which can be a precursor to Type 2 diabetes.

Ms Green said people should be aware of this: “Insulin resistance is a really big thing today, and it’s something we’re trying to do a lot about.”

Professor Steve Barnett, chairman of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, thanked the foundation and praised their continuing support.

He said: “We know that the quality of life for people with diabetes can be vastly improved with the right care and education which is why we applaud the work of the Foundation to raise awareness of the condition..”

They are currently looking for donations and sponsorships to raise £12,000 to produce a diabetes-friendly cookbook.

For more information see www.michaelgreenfoundation.org.