Welcome to another Thriveabetes interview. Today I had a chance to catch up with Kate (Katarzyna) Gajewska. Kate was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 16 months old over 30 years ago. Between 2015 and 2020, Kate undertook her PhD looking at the access to insulin pump therapy in Ireland. She submitted her PhD thesis a couple of weeks ago and in the last couple of months has had some of her findings published.
It's finally here! I don't know whether to take a deep breath or to release the relief that we are getting there. Registration link is below. The team and I would like to say that we are really proud of the programme we have put together this year. We feel that you will be pleased and we have taken on board all the feedback we received from you over the years.
Thriveabetes is a conference organised completely by people with type 1 diabetes and focuses on the psychological impact of living with a chronic, lifelong condition. We aim to provide “Inspiration, Motivation and Information” to all people living with type 1 diabetes (adults, parents & children over age 5 years). It's going to be a great day:-D
First, you will notice that our Registration fee has increased significantly. Thriveabetes 2016 didn't break even financially. We did have some funds left over from 2015 to cover the shortfall. This year’s registration fee reflects this but does cover a hot lunch and refreshments valued at €25.
Venue Information (Getting there and Staying there)
Speaker Profiles (still waiting on a couple of speaker biographies and photos)
Register Here
I haven't done a blog post in a while because there was A LOT of this going on.
And it was wonderful. Then, it was back at it!
Freshly recharged from my holidays, and two days post jet lag, myself and Phil headed to Naas, Co. Kildare to the fundraising concert organised by Pete and Pam Kavanagh (she says it was him, he says it was her) for Thriveabetes 2018.
All I had to do was show up and say a few words, which was harder than it sounds, especially when you only put those few words together in the hotel room two hours before the concert. :-O
First, we had a Seat raffle for a gorgeous rose gold Citizen ladies watch worth €230 donated by jewellers Macintyres of Edinburgh, which was won by Launa, who without even thinking donated it back to Thriveabetes. The watch was then auctioned after the break and raised another €100.
Then, Date night truly began.
The Opening act was Pete Kavanagh and his guitar who was joined by the magical haunting voice of Pam, who many of you will know from the Diabetes Online Community. Before finishing their son, Cayden, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 18 months ago, joined his parents on stage to give us the blues on his harmonica. See photos below.
Next we had “Hally and the Hymns”, who is currently undertaking a project called “Peeling Onions” where he releases one song and music video every week for the entire 2017.
After the break we were thrilled with the golden voices of the Cahill Sisters accompanied by their brother Mark, who sang songs I fondly remember from my teens. I truly look forward to hearing their own music.
Then, the Clare (via Kildare:-D) man himself, Luka Bloom, he has been formally adopted by Clare, whether he likes it or not, who raised the roof.
A diabetes fundraiser is a great place to meet some of the diabetes online community and meet some new offline ones. This one was no different-I wasn't out of the car park when I bumped into my first DOC’ers of the night :-)
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Missing from selfies was Rebecca Flanagan - where did you go???
Raffle Ticket sellers; Pam’s sister, Claire, Steph Barclay and Phil Miesle. You worked hard and made it count!
Brian Corrigan, fellow D-Tribe member and Thriveabetes organiser for donating his "sound" & light services.
Another member of the diabetes community, Ben Kelly for his talented MC services.
The local businesses in Naas who sponsored fantastic raffle prizes;
And pre booked ticket prize from jewellers, Macintyres of Edinburgh
Our musical artists who donated themselves;
They were all outstanding and I encourage you to listen.
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And most importantly The Kavanagh Family, who came up with the idea, ran with it and were put through the ringer all last week pushing the publicity for the concert. They raised a whopping €1,600 after costs.
Roll on Thriveabetes 2018 on Saturday 24th February in The Red Cow Hotel, Dublin. Speakers and the programmes are being finalised soon and Registration will open in October.
Watch this space!
