Oberon’s Cynthia Evans has been awarded a special medallion by Diabetes Australia.

She has been battling Type 1 Diabetes since she was diagnosed as a five-year -old.

Still full of energy and fighting spirit, Ms Evans has developed the ability to take the bad with the good.

“I was diagnosed at the age of five and now later in life I have learned many lessons,” she said.

“You really need to have a black sense of humour but also the willingness to control it.

“You must follow the rules but still enjoy your life.”

In Type 1 Diabetes the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach, stops making insulin.

Without insulin, the body’s cells cannot turn glucose (sugar), into energy so the body uses its own fats as a substitute. Unless treated with daily injections of insulin, people with Type 1 Diabetes accumulate dangerous chemical substances in their blood from the burning of fat.

To stay alive, people with Type 1 Diabetes depend on up to four insulin injections each day, testing their blood glucose levels several times.

The onset of Type 1 Diabetes typically occurs in people under 30 years, but can occur at any age with about 10-15 per cent of all cases of diabetes are Type 1.

While its cause has nothing to do with lifestyle, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important in helping to manage Type 1 Diabetes. At this stage nothing can be done to prevent or cure Type 1 Diabetes.

Ms Evans said despite having a number of set backs, due to diabetes associated illnesses, there have been plenty of happy moments along the way.

“I have met so many wonderful doctors, nurses and staff members, like Michelle [Booth] who I consider to be friends,” she said.

But the proud mother of two admitted she wanted to get a very important message out to the people of Bathurst.

“Parents and grandparents need to look at their young family members and think ‘can I afford to give something to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Diabetes Australia?’,” Ms Evans said.

“You just don’t know which child will be next.”

After struggling with diabetes for 51 years, Ms Evans said she would now look to continuing on just as strongly.

“I’m just looking to enjoy life, keep on laughing and carry on one day at a time,” she said.

“You don’t ever let it [diabetes] control you.”