Diabetes Australia today announced the appointment of leading health advocate Lucy Brogden AM as the new Chair of the Diabetes Australia Research Trust.

The Trust, which manages the Diabetes Australia Research Program, supports around 60 research projects a year with funding allocations of more than $3 million per annum.

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the appointment was great news for people with diabetes and for diabetes researchers.

“Diabetes Australia is thrilled to attract a Chair of Lucy’s calibre. She has extensive experience working with iconic Australian corporations as well as playing an important role in transforming Australia’s approach to supporting people with mental illness and their families,” Ms Cain said.

“The Diabetes Australia Research Program has been funding diabetes research for more than 30 years and has a proud reputation as one of Australia’s leading funders of diabetes research.

“Over the past 12 years we have invested around $36 million in over 500 diabetes research projects across Australia and we are confident that with Lucy’s stewardship that investment will continue to grow.”

Mrs Brogden said a combination of her own personal experience and her experience advocating for people living with mental health issues motivated her to take up the role.

“Diabetes impacts more than 1.4 million Australians and is one of the fastest growing chronic diseases in Australia.  It impacts my family and my friends’ families,” Mrs Brogden said.

“My father and father-in-law both live with diabetes and the daughter of one of my close friends was also recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I’ve seen first-hand the impact that diabetes can have on families.

“Despite the millions of lives diabetes touches, there is still no cure but every new research project we can help fund brings us closer to a breakthrough, and hopefully a cure.

“Research is also important because it creates hope and the reality is that there are many discoveries researchers make on the journey towards a cure that will greatly improve the quality of life for people living with diabetes.

“I’m also very passionate about ensuring the lived experience of people living with diabetes is elevated in decisions about research projects and funding.

“Finally, I’m excited about the opportunity to continue to grow the funding pool. Globally the competition for research funding is competitive but we will be working with the philanthropic sector, private donors and workplace foundations to help broaden our funding base and to ultimately invest in more research.”

Ms Cain also thanked outgoing Chair John Townend AM for his many years of commitment to supporting diabetes research.

“John has been a tireless advocate for diabetes research in Australia and his determination to support world-leading researchers has helped improve the diabetes research landscape in Australia,” Ms Cain said.

“On behalf of Australia’s diabetes community, thank you.”