When it comes to type 1 diabetes, it’s much more than just 1 number
For the more than 125,000 Australians that live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) – insulin is more than a lifechanging treatment. It’s a lifesaving one. A substance made naturally in the body for those who don’t live with diabetes, insulin regulates the amount of sugar in the blood – something that can change depending on simple things like diet, exercise and sleep. People who live with T1D don’t produce insulin and need to both monitor their blood sugar levels and inject their own insulin. This year alone, more than 75 million painful pricks will be delivered. That’s one insulin injection every 2.3 seconds!
The health impacts don’t end there. It’s estimated that 50,000 people live with at least one T1D related complication. 25,000 have eye complications. 347 people with T1D will need help to remain conscious today due to episodes of hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar levels). And by this time tomorrow, another 8 Australians will be diagnosed with the condition. That’s more than 11,000 in the next four years! Yet, it’s the number 100 we’re most passionate about.
Why? Because that’s how many years it’s been since the discovery of insulin. And while we’ve had huge breakthroughs in that time, insulin is still the ONLY treatment option for people living with type 1 diabetes. We can’t wait another 100 years to change that. With your help we won’t have to. Talented Australian researchers are making their mark in driving our understanding of T1D, development of new treatments, prevention strategies and potential cures.
Researchers like Dr Ki Wook Kim – who is discovering which viruses to target in a T1D vaccine. Or Professor Helen Thomas – who is driving a clinical trial right here in Australia of a promising treatment which could potentially slow down or even stop the changes in the body that cause T1D to develop.
Click here to help fund cutting-edge research like this.
JDRF is the largest global funder of type 1 diabetes research. We’re backing Australian research to be at the centre of the next great breakthrough and we don’t want the thousands of Australian kids and adults with T1D to wait another century. Do you?
You could be the one to help us turn type one into type none. A donation by June 10 will be matched by our generous partners doubling your impact and going much further in supporting T1D research
Every day, 8 more Australians need our help. You could be the 1 to help stop type 1 diabetes. Donate now and help us achieve our vision of a world without type 1 diabetes
