ahead, despite a disappointing response.

Organisers of the Bermuda Diabetes Epidemiology Project were forced to take out a full-page advertisement in The Royal Gazette last week after they only received half of the total 3,000 questionnaires sent out in February.

They needed 2,000 to successful complete the project.

And while Bermuda Diabetes Epidemiology Project secretary Gina Davis said the response since the advertisement was "not bad'', she said they were hoping for more.

Bermuda's incidence of diabetes -- "the insidious and silent killer'' -- is being mapped for the first time in a unique study undertaken by the Bermuda Diabetes Association. The 3,000 people, randomly chosen, have been targeted for the project, to complete questionnaires and undergo interviews and tests.

The study will also cover such aspects as education on the disease, prevention, control and treatment.

The results will be published around the world in major medical journals and will be presented at the next Diabetes Conference which takes place in Helsinki next year.

And a host of countries were expected to benefit from the unique survey conducted by the Bermuda Diabetes Association.

Conclusions drawn from the epidemiology project were expected to serve as a blueprint for those countries unable to undertake such a study on their own.

Although no-one was forced to take part, Ms Davis said, it was nevertheless important for people to respond to the questionnaires.

She added that if the response to this week's advertisement was poor, another advertisement would be placed to remind people.

But Ms Davis stressed that the project's deadline of October 31 will not be extended.

"We'll just have to go with what we have,'' she said.