World Diabetes Day World Diabetes Day is November 14, 2023 Diabetes research changes and saves lives Diabetes research has led to better understanding and the development of new technologies and new medicines that have transformed the lives of people living with all types of diabetes. Diabetes research matters Australia has world-class researchers but over the last ten years investment in diabetes research has fallen, even as the number of people living with all types of diabetes continues to increase. Diabetes research creates hope for the future Through our own Diabetes Australia Research Program we have invested more than $36 million over the past 12 years to support vital research projects. Take action this World Diabetes Day by supporting diabetes research. The next groundbreaking discovery could be just around the corner. Diabetes research changes lives Diabetes research has transformed the lives of people living with all types of diabetes. People like Tanya who lives with type 1 diabetes and whose quality of life has ‘skyrocketed’ since she was diagnosed in 2002 thanks to advancements in technology. And Sarah who lives with type 2 diabetes and who, thanks to the latest diabetes medicines, is able to manage her diabetes better than ever which is ‘multi-pronged and no easy feat’. And 74-year-old Wendy who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just five-years-old and was told she’d be lucky to make it to 30. Tanya, Sarah and Wendy’s lives have been changed thanks to research. But there is still a lot we don’t know about diabetes and research is the only way we will learn more and drive change to prevent, treat and, ultimately, cure diabetes. Get involved > “For me, more funding for research will not only help me but my daughter.” ~ Tanya, lives with Type 1 diabetes Diabetes research creates hope for the future Across the country there is potentially life-changing research being undertaken. Like the work of Dr John Karas investigating the development of an oral insulin. And Associate Professor Melkam Kebede’s study on how insulin is stored in the pancreas, which could lead to new treatments for type 2 diabetes. And screening programs for families living with type 1 diabetes to determine if their children are at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The next groundbreaking discovery could be just around the corner but funding is needed to ensure Australia’s world-class diabetes researchers can continue their vital work. That’s why we’re shining a light on research this World Diabetes Day, why we’re asking the community to support the research that Diabetes Australia funds, and why we’re asking Australians to spark change by signing our petition calling for more funding for vital diabetes research. Take action > Dr John Wentworth is an endocrinologist and leading diabetes researcher who has dedicated his career to finding better outcomes for people living with diabetes in Australia. John is also a four-time Diabetes Australia Research Program grant recipient, citing the early grants as “absolutely pivotal in setting me up and giving me a go”. In more recent years, John has used his latest research grant to support the development of Type1Screen; the world’s first home screening kit for type 1 diabetes. The programs mission is to see a world where type one becomes type none. Diabetes research has given us so much, including… January 1922 14-year-old Leonard Thompson becomes the first person to be injected with insulin as he lay dying at the Toronto General Hospital. Later that year, five-year-old Phyllis Lush (nee Adams) is the first Australian to receive life-saving insulin. 1953 Lente insulin, the first intermediate duration insulin, is released. 1963 Insulin becomes the first human protein to be chemically synthesised. 1978 The world’s first portable blood glucose monitor is developed in Australia by Stanley Clark and is rapidly adopted. Home glucose self-monitoring becomes a reality. 1980 Single strength insulin is introduced in Australia. 1986 The first insulin pen is released. 1999 More than 470 people with type 1 diabetes receive islet cell transplantation and no longer need to administer insulin. 2013 The University of Cambridge develops an artificial pancreas that pairs the technology of an insulin pump with a continuous glucose monitor. 2015 Dr Edward Damiano introduces the iLet, a bionic pancreas that delivers both insulin and glucagon every five minutes as required. Get involved Sign the petition calling for more funding Diabetes research saves lives and creates hope. We need your help to increase funding. Take action > Donate to diabetes research You can help Diabetes Australia fund vital diabetes research by donating this World Diabetes Day. Donate now > Diabetes Australia Research Program Diabetes Australia supports and develops outstanding diabetes research in Australia. Find out more > Resources Campaign assets, including posters, social media tiles and digital banners, for you to share the campaign with your networks this World Diabetes Day 2023. Find out more > “A decision to donate from you is a lifetime of hope for us.” Donate today > Latest diabetes research news Blog 5 December 2023 Top 10 articles for 2023 Perhaps unsurprisingly the top stories during 2023 were related to the availability, or otherwise, of medications. The nationwide shortage of… Continue Reading Media releases 24 November 2023 New vitamin C diabetes research announced Continue Reading Media releases 17 November 2023 Diabetes Australia invests in new research with 2024 DARP grants Continue Reading Media releases 15 November 2023 New diabetes research announced – DKA Continue Reading
