Living with Type 1 Diabetes -
Perspectives from Young People

#YouthBeyondT1D

As 2021 marks the 100 anniversary of the discovery of insulin, diabetes awareness is particularly important, with a focus on high-level global efforts to push for progress on addressing diabetes. Around the world, many actions are being taken towards addressing this issue, such as the creation of the Global Diabetes Compact, an initiative developed by the WHO to support countries in implementing effective programmes for the prevention and management of diabetes. 

To contribute to the global diabetes movement and create impactful momentum to address the prevention and care of type 1 diabetes (T1D), NCD Child and partners are raising awareness of young people living with T1D all over the world by launching the #YouthBeyondT1D social media campaign. The campaign will give decision-makers and non-communicable disease (NCD) advocates an understanding of the lived experiences and the need for change to young people’s lives.

 Follow the full #YouthBeyondT1D campaign throughout the coming weeks at @NCDChild 

Click on the images below to learn about the lived experiences and challenges of young people living with T1D and how they overcome those challenges.

If you are a young person living with T1D and is interested in participating in this campaign, please contact ncd.child@sickkids.ca for more information. 

About T1D

Around 10% of people with diabetes live with T1D.

Traditionally called childhood-onset diabetes, T1D occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Though it can affect anyone at any age, T1D happens most often in children and adolescents. Since 1990, the prevalence of children and adolescents with diabetes worldwide has increased from 2.7 million to 4.5 million in 2019. 

Currently there is no treatment available to prevent T1D, but with early diagnosis and proper treatment and management of the condition, young people living with T1D can live a healthy life into adulthood.​

Campaign partners

We are proud to be partnering with the following advocacy networks to raise awareness about T1D in young people. Click on their logos to learn more about their work.

Beyond Type 1 is a nonprofit organization changing what it means to live with diabetes. By leveraging the power of social media and technology, Beyond Type 1 empowers people to both live well today and support a better tomorrow. Through peer support programs, global campaigns, and digital platforms, Beyond Type 1 is uniting the global diabetes community across both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, helping to change what it means to live with chronic illness.

CLAN (Caring & Living As Neighbours) is an Australian-based for-purpose organisation, committed to equity for children and young people living with Type 1 diabetes and other chronic health conditions in resource poor communities. CLAN works with a range of partners internationally to facilitate collaborative, multi-sectoral efforts so that #EveryChild might enjoy the highest quality of life possible.

Correndo pelo Diabetes (Running for Diabetes) is a Brazilain CSO focused on promoting the health and inclusion of people living with diabetes (PLWD) and their family members through sports. Based on four pillars (advocacy, awareness, information and physical activity), they lead different initiatives at the national level, going from supportive round-tables to awareness campaigns, passing to virtual races and health care program.

CUI.D.AR is the Association for the Care of Diabetes in Argentina, a non-profit NGO that since 2001 works for children, youth and adults living with diabetes to minimize the impact of this chronic condition on their lives and for disease prevention and health promotion. CUI.D.AR develops educational and informative activities, of containment, support and defense of rights. Its intervention has an impact on the quality of treatment, education, prevention, also on better access to better care and on the general well-being of the person with this chronic condition and their family, school and social environment. CUI.D.AR also creates social awareness and works hard on Advocacy actions and incidence on public policies.

Diabetes India Youth In Action (DIYA) was formed in September 2017 as a not-for-profit trust and is registered under the Indian Trusts Act 1882. Started to overcome the vagaries of diabetes care and with a hope to connect with other people living with type one diabetes, the trust strengthened into a team of young patient advocates and doctors working purely for a non-monetary motive. DIYA is focused to educate, empower and advocate for better care for people living with diabetes in India.

Healthy Caribbean Coalition is the only regional NCD alliance of health and non-health civil society organizations. HCC, with over 100 members, works closely with regional and international leaders in NCD prevention and control to leverage the power of civil society by strengthening and supporting its membership in the implementation of programmes aimed at reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with NCDs.

HRIDAY (Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote sustainable health, particularly among youth, in multiple settings including schools, colleges, workplaces and the community at large through evidence based strategies. HRIDAY engages in multi-disciplinary research, capacity building and undertakes campaigns linked to the prevention and control of NCDs. HRIDAY focuses on addressing NCDs from a health and development perspective, particularly in the context of Goal 3.4 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Life for a Child (LFAC) supports the provision of the best possible health care, given local circumstances, to all children and youth (under 26 years of age) with diabetes in less-resourced countries, through the strengthening of existing diabetes services. LFAC conducts clinical research, and assists local partners with the development of advocacy campaigns to improve diabetes care in young people. Where possible, LFAC helps both young adults and also recipient countries with achieving sustainability in their local circumstances.

Thank you to the Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC) program for promoting this initiative.

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