What's in the Future for Type 1 Diabetes?

​In August 2014, I was lucky enough to attend a presentation by Dr. Aaron Kowalski, from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) on what the future holds for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

This talk was the most EXCITING and positive that I have ever attended in my two decades of living with type 1 diabetes. I came away from it with a solid belief that the next best thing to a cure (either Artificial Pancreas or Beta Cell encapsulation) is only a couple of years away! He gave a similar talk at "that conference" that I keep mentioning over at my Diabetes People blog. Here's is a run down from DiabTribe on his most recent one.

I know, how many times have we heard that the cure is only around the corner? 

I hold in my hand the prototype for the Bionic  Pancreas, the iLet. So, so close and not so far now.

But it is! Here's proof!! The prototype of Dr. Ed Damiano's Bionic Pancreas, the iLet was revealed at FFL 2015. (See more about that big reveal here.)

It's because of Dr. Kowalski's (I'm sorry, I just can't say his name without thinking of the Penguins of Madagascar. I have children.) talk that we really wanted someone from JDRF to attend Thrive-abetes; Thrive with Type 1 Diabetes Conference.

It happens that we have our own version of Dr. Kowalski in the United Kingdom. Dr. Clare McVicker is the Director of Research Advocacy, at the type 1 diabetes research charity, JDRF UK. JDRF is the world’s leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research and its vision is a world without type 1 diabetes.

Dr. McVicker will be our closing keynote speaker at Thrive-abetes. This is our conference schedule with some more details of our other speakers and topics.

Don't forget to Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

The Irish Diabetes Online Community

YES!!! We have one of those!

I'm hoping to get more photos of my diabetes tribe at Thrive-abetes. But this photo will have to do for now.

I just read Renza Scibilia's Diabetogenic blog post about "My Tribe" and the first thought that popped into my head was that I would be with some of my tribe at Thrive-abetes!​ IN 5 WEEKS!!!

We will be in a room full of diabetes experts (i.e. people with diabetes), there won't be any judgement of how we live with diabetes, there will only be empathy, understanding and support. 

Don't forget to Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st. 

We have updated our programme

We had a very exciting week here. On Monday, myself and Christine were interviewed on

ClareFM's Morning Focus

radio programme, which you can listen to

here

 if you are so inclined. 

ClareFM Photo

Christine, Pat Flynn & Me.

Christine and I met up before hand to go over our miniscule notes. Gosh, no matter how prepared you are, you are never really prepared. 

Anyway, we were reminiscing about how we met. I hope she doesn't mind me mentioning that she is almost 10 years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and it was about 8 months after her diagnosis that we met. Christine has been there since the first type 1 diabetes meeting in Ennis. 

When you move to a new place it is hard to make new friends, really hard.

We got a little sentimental about the fact that time just flies and how our nerves were just shot and our hearts were racing at the thoughts of being interviewed.

On the same day, Ireland's independent health website. Irish health.ie published a story about Thrive-diabetes. 

Anyway, enough with the digression! I realised after last week’s announcement that I had not updated the conference programme to include our additional speaker. 

Click on the link of the schedule that you are looking for.

Conference programme schedule for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

Conference programme schedule for Parents of Children with Type 1 Diabetes.

Don't forget to Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thriveabetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.