Tributes paid following death of teenager with type 1 diabetes

The remains of a teenager tragically struck down by a fatal cardiac arrest brought on by type 1 diabetes have been flown to her native South Africa following a fundraising drive.
Caitlin Davis (pictured) passed away suddenly in late October in an emergency helicopter after a visit to a GP surgery, having felt unwell and complaining of chest pains.
The 17-year-old had been looking forward to her 18th birthday on 6 January – on that date next year a special memorial service will take place in her homeland.
She moved to a village called Bunclody in the Republic of Ireland two years ago along with her parents to pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor, studying medicine in a country she thought offered her the best educational opportunities.
Debbie, Caitlin’s mum, told the Irish Mirror: “She kept saying, ‘Mum I’m going to be 18 in two months.’ On her birthday she wanted to wake up with her bedroom full of balloons and she really wanted one of those balloons in the shape of the number 18, so I will have to get her one of those.”
Her community rallied around to help the family send Caitlin’s ashes to South African, so far more than €6,000 has been with money also towards a charity to train medical detection dogs.
Debbie added: “People think diabetes – you can handle that – but it is such a dangerous disease. I told her, ‘I couldn’t live without you if something happened to you.’ I suppose somehow I just knew and now here I am living my worst nightmare.”
Picture: Irish Mirror