Diabetes NZ Otago Youth

18/11/2025

Register on Humanitix - Diabetes NZ Auckland Youth: Online Education Spring Series #4 - Looking Back, Looking Forward hosted by Diabetes NZ Auckland Youth. Online. Monday 17th November 2025. Find event information.

14/11/2025

💚WORLD DIABETES DAY💚 In 1922, at the University of Toronto, scientists went to a hospital ward with children who were comatose and dying from diabetic keto-acidosis. Imagine a room full of parents sitting at the bedside waiting for the inevitable death of their child.

The scientists went from bed to bed and injected the children with the new purified extract - insulin. As they began to inject the last comatose child, the first child injected began to awaken. One by one, all of the children awoke from their diabetic comas. A room of death and gloom, became a place of joy and hope.

The discovery of insulin by Dr. Frederick Banting, Charles Best, James Collip, and John Macleod at the University of Toronto stands as one of the most dramatic breakthroughs in medical history. Before 1922, type 1 diabetes was essentially a death sentence, especially for children, who would waste away despite strict starvation diets.

The first clinical use of insulin in January 1922 transformed the fate of patients almost overnight. That ward of comatose children became a living testament to scientific achievement, within hours, the extract was reversing symptoms once thought irreversible. Parents who had been preparing for funerals were instead embracing their children.

This moment didn’t just save those young lives, it reshaped the future for millions worldwide. Today, insulin remains an essential therapy for people with diabetes, and the events of that day in 1922 are remembered as a turning point from despair to hope in modern medicine.

12/11/2025

Are you facing long wait times for pump starts?

The University of Otago are running an Access-AID study, if you are thinking of self-referring to this study you can attend an information session to hear from industry reps to help decide what pump and CGM options are right for you.

The next sessions are now open for registration

Tuesday, 18 November, 12pm - 1pm https://events.humanitix.com/diabetes-nz-diabetes-technology-information-sessions-3

Wednesday, 19 November, 7pm - 8pm https://events.humanitix.com/diabetes-nz-diabetes-technology-information-sessions-4

These sessions are for people with Type 1 Diabetes anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Questions: contact youth@diabetes.org.nz

11/11/2025

FREE Tickets - I have 20 per session
I have tickets to the World Festival of Magic hosted by Lions International.
There are two sessions:
Date: Thursday 27th November at 4.00pm & 7.00pm
Location: Kings / Queens High School Performing Arts Centre
If you would like me to post you tickets please get in touch via email Paula@diabetes.org.nz by the end of this week so you will receive them in time, happy to give out 4-5 tickets per family.
This will be first in first served.
Hope to see you there.

04/11/2025

Diabetes NZ with support from the University of Otago is pleased to launch the Diabetes Technology Information Sessions: automated insulin delivery (AID) for people living with Type 1 diabetes.

Join one of our online education sessions to learn more about AID and the Pharmac funded Insulin Pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) available.

During these one-hour sessions we will be joined by experts from Dexcom/NZMS, Mediray and Pharmaco to hear more about AID and device compatibility. You will hear more about both the Tandem T:Slim x2 and mylife YpsoPump with CamAPS FX Pumps, along with details on the compatible Continuous Glucose Monitors, (Dexcom G6 and G7 and the Libre 3+).

Open to all across New Zealand.

The first sessions are on Tuesday 11th November at 12noon and 7pm.

For more information & registration:

12noon https://events.humanitix.com/diabetes-technology-information-session-1

7pm https://events.humanitix.com/diabetes-nz-diabetes-technology-information-session-2

Diabetes NZ looking forward to seeing you there.

All those who attend are invited to join the research ‘Access AID - Accelerating care, capacity and equity in AID systems for New Zealanders with type 1 diabetes’. Led by the University of Otago.

Questions: contact youth@diabetes.org.nz

28/10/2025

Summer Camp Registrations - DATE CHANGE

Hi Families,
There is a slight change in the closing date for camp registrations due to staff taking Christmas holidays. The closing date is now Monday 1st December 2025.
Please ensure you register before this date as no late registrations will be accepted. Numbers are limited for camp so please ensure you get your child registered as soon as you can.
If you are unsure of anything about camp please email me Paula@diabetes.org.nz

22/10/2025

The University of Otago are looking for children and youth aged 12-24 yrs to participate in a one off interview about diabetes technology and nutrition. I recently met with Kate to go over details of this research study.
Please contact Kate Jaffray via her email address below should your child / young adult wish to participate.
The interview can be done via face to face or over zoom.

21/10/2025

This November for Diabetes Action month our theme is called
"One Million Minutes".
Our aim for one million minutes is to raise awareness and support for Diabetes NZ. You can join and fundraise while logging the amount of steps or minutes that you do while walking, gardening, dancing, skateboarding etc.
Click on the link below to have have a look.

One Million Minutes for Diabetes : Make a donation today to support One Million Minutes for Diabetes

21/10/2025

Summer Camp 2026
Registrations are now LIVE for summer camp in January, we have limited spaces so please make sure you register.
You can pay in full or via instalment. If you are not sure of anything please message me.

20/10/2025

Hi Families,
There is an online education session being held tonight that anyone in NZ can join to watch. This is being held tonight.

Register on Humanitix - Diabetes NZ Auckland Youth: Online Education Spring Series #3 - Glycaemic Index & Blood Sugar hosted by Diabetes NZ Auckland Youth. Online. Tuesday 21st October 2025. Find event information.

15/10/2025

This November is our annual Diabetes Action Month, so Diabetes NZ is running a campaign called "One Million Minutes". A fundraising page has been set up below.
https://one-million-minutes.raiselysite.com/t/diabetes-otago-youth-team
Anyone can sign up to the fundraiser and get moving by doing gardening, walking, dancing, skateboarding, any activity that you enjoy.
To join click on the link then register as an individual, you can search for the Diabetes NZ Otago Youth and join us, so all funds raised in Otago stay here. If you need help let me know.

One Million Minutes for Diabetes : Make a donation today to support One Million Minutes for Diabetes

08/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who came and attended the Diabetes Otago Youth bingo fundraiser last night, over 60 people attended.
It was a wonderful night filled with lots of laughter, some frustration from those who were close but didn't quite win a line, or a bingo house.
A grand total of $1633.70 was raised