NEWS RELEASE
www.danii.org.au
Contact: Justine Caines: 0408 21 02 73
Donna Meads-Barlow: 0418 465 245
8May 2018
Type 1 Diabetes – Dying for a Cure. When will Greg Hunt live by his words and Support Proven Preventative Technology?
The DANII Foundation was founded after the unnecessary death of Daniella Meads-Barlow aged 17. Daniella was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 5. The Foundation was established by her parents Donna and Brian Meads-Barlow in 2012.
“Last April I stood beside Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt as he launched funding for young Australians (under 21 years) with Type 1 diabetes. The funding was for Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM), life saving and changing devices. He referred to the announcement as ‘Danni’s Gift’. In just over a year the members of our Foundation report just how often CGM’s have alerted parents and carers of very serious blood sugar levels, they also report a quality of life they had not experienced since their child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.” said Donna Meads-Barlow, Founder of the DANII Foundation.
“The Foundation made active representation (via a Budget submission) to extend the CGM Funding to Australian adults. Not only to provide them with quality of life and prevention of premature death but to prevent the very serious complications of poorly managed type 1 diabetes. These include blindness, kidney disease and limb amputation.”
“The Foundation’s advocacy was followed up around the country by members of the Foundation who alerted their local Federal MP to the very real benefits of CGM technology.”
Tracy Waugh from Victoria,
Troy Wilkins from Tasmania,
Sharon Gooding from the ACT,
Cait Fry from Victoria and
Tanya Moffett from SA
Just a few of the DANII Foundation members who share their stories of CGM technology. SEE YouTube Channel
“While our Government talks of good times, they need to walk a mile in the shoes of Australians living with type 1 diabetes, particularly adults. This budget was a missed opportunity to save lives, bring quality of life back and even reduce unnecessary spending in health.”
“We call on Greg Hunt to live up to his words when taking on the health portfolio that prevention is better than a cure. Simply waiting for a cure can prove deadly, just as it did for Daniella Meads-Barlow, a 17 year old with everything to live for.” said Donna Meads-Barlow.
There are over 140,000 Australians living with type 1 diabetes (t1d). Unlike Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 is an auto-immune disease with no cure, and much of the cause still unknown. With poor management t1d can have very serious complications, including. In excess of 50 Australians every year also die as a result of nocturnal hypoglycaemia (very low blood sugar during sleep), just as Daniella Meads-Barlow did.ENDS
THE DANII FOUNDATION: The Face of Type 1 Diabetes Across Australia
www.danii.org.au