Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Boy collapses at Tory insulin press conference

WINNIPEG - Manitoba Conservatives started to roll out their 2011 election platform this morning with a promise to fund the cost of insulin pumps to diabetic children -- but their press conference was cut short when one of the participants collapsed.

The teenager -- who uses an insulin pump -- collapsed in the warm, packed room in the legislative building due to low blood-sugar levels. He was fine a few minutes later, after drinking some juice.

The Conservatives said the province should fund the cost of providing pumps for people aged 18 and under with Type 1 or juvenile diabetes, saying it would help children lead more normal lives and save taxpayers money in the end.

They estimate there are 500 Manitoba children with juvenile diabetes. The pumps cost $6,500 and last five years. Insulin pump supplies cost about $3,000 a year, making the total annual cost about $4,300 a year.

Five other provinces in Canada fund the pumps.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

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