About...

Artist, designer and illustrator, Christine Wilcox-Baker, was the mastermind behind Seven thousand feet. Christine's grandmother suffered from type 2 diabetes, and she was worried that she might develop it, so she wanted to learn more about the disease.

Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that cause our blood sugar levels to become abnormally high. There are two main types– type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes accounts for almost 90% of all diabetic patients and is mostly preventable! In fact, as many as 3 in 5 people with type 2 diabetes could have avoided the life-threatening condition by making simple lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet and doing regular exercise. Type 1 diabetes isn't preventable, but for both types of diabetes, these simple lifestyle changes can help prevent more serious health outcomes such as heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Christine created Seven thousand feet to educate people about diabetes in a creative way. The message delivered by the exhibition is deliberately stark in order to affect how you perceive diabetes, whether you have knowledge of the condition or not.

Christine has worked with health professionals from both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, clinical NHS staff and Diabetes UK! Even people living with the life-threatening condition have shared their experiences to help shape the exhibition.

A few words from Christine herself...

This project has been made possible by the input of many individuals and organisations in the fields of art, science and medicine. These, together with support from people and organisations who simply believe that art and science working together can make a difference, have delivered what you see here today. Links to many of these organisations can be found on the Further information page.

I am overwhelmed by their generosity

MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS

Dr Martin Rutter, Susan Curtis, Manchester Diabetes Centre

Mr Naseer Ahmad, Manchester University NHS Trust

Dr Bhaskar Basu, Kath Crawford, Sue Turner, UHSM Specialised Ability Centre Dr Naresh Kanumilli, Dr Patrick Kearns, Katherine Leivesley

RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT

Prof Neil Reeves, Dr Gladys Pearson, Dr Nessar Ahmed, Dr Fiona Wilkinson, Edwin Colyer, Manchester Metropolitan University

Katherine Grady and team, Research for the Future

Dr Karen Cosgrove, University of Manchester

Yvonne Browne and colleagues, Diabetes UK North West

Prof Roy Taylor, Magnetic Resonance Centre, Newcastle University

Manchester Diabetes Centre Steering Group

ARTISTS

Eleanor Mulhearn and Ian Whadcock - supervising tutors; students and graduates, Manchester Metropolitan University

FILMING AND 3D TOUR PRODUCTION

Ewan Chamings, University of Manchester

Nabeel Masih and Shomair Hanuk, Manchester Metropolitan University

STRATEGIC ADVICE

Anna Bunney, Manchester Museum Anne Strachan, Crowdfunding advisor

CROWD-FUNDERS, SUPPORTERS AND HELPERS

Pamela Bates, Alison Bold, Chris Bradburn, Nicky Burchill, Morag Burton, Alan Campbell, Clare Church, John Clowes, Emma Cook, Jenny Davis, Colin Duncan, Julie Edwardes, Simon Edwardes, Sarah Elderkin, Stuart Eyres, David Felix, Sarah Fisher, Andy Fox, Eleanor Gorsuch, Manon Hardy, Anne Hulley, Amanda Jones, Janet Kenyon, Martin Keogh, Nick King, Norma Mayall, Peter Mitchell, Callum Morgan, Aileen Paterson, Andy Paterson, Jo Palmer, Sue Pepall, Richard Pepall, Kim Ritchie, Nick Roberson, Wendy Rose, Irene Rutter, Louise Shepherdson, Gill and Martin Stocker, Hazel Sutcliffe, Mike Vaughan Edwards, Geraldine Way, Valerie White, Rupert Wilcox-Baker, Barbara Wright and a large number of anonymous donors.

SOCK COLLECTORS

Many people have helped collect socks for the installation. Too numerous to mention individually, these include patients, NHS practitioners, schools, charity shops, community groups, businesses and lots of friends. I am extremely grateful to you all.

INSTITUTIONAL & CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

Arctic Scaffolding Company Limited, Cook Medical, Diabetes UK, Josephinum Vienna, Manchester Central Library, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester Science Festival, Manchester University NHS Trust, , Nemaura Medical, Orpyx Medical Technologies, Research for the Future, The Physiological Society, Thornton and Ross Limited, University of Manchester, Whalley Range High School, JMP Wilcox & Company Limited.

WEBSITE DESIGN

Lucy Maher, University of Manchester

Dr Karen Cosgrove, University of Manchester

If I’ve omitted anyone please know that it is not deliberate and I thank you too.