Help Zoe get a Continuous Glucose Monitor

Zoe is my daughter. On August 29th 2015 at 15 months, she suddenly became extremely sick over a period of a couple of hours. We immediately took her to the Doctor, and within 20 minutes we were in Dunstan Hospital. Two hours later we were being wheeled off the emergency helicopter in Dunedin Hospital. With the threat of critical care, Zoe fought very hard and we thank the staff in Dunedin A&E, Paediatrics, Dunstan Hospital for such excellent care.

Zoe was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She had contracted ketoacidosis, her blood sugar levels were so high, the lack of insulin was causing her blood to become acidic. There is no known cause, and there currently is no cure. It is an auto immune disease that stops her pancreas producing insulin.

If Zoe’s blood glucose level goes to high she can again get ketoacidosis. If it is to low, she could go into coma. Both can result in severe illness, or death. An average persons blood glucose level is between 4-8. Zoe’s in 1 day can range from 30 to 3. Such highs and lows, rising and dropping so fast if it continues will have series consequences to her health in the future.

Zoe has very recently gone onto an insulin pump, which acts like her pancreas. She will wear this 24 hours a day for most likely the rest of her life. The pump is also a receiver for a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM).

I have created this page to raise money so that we can purchase this system. It is an amazing piece of technology that would monitor Zoe’s blood glucose every 5 minutes and send the required information to her insulin pump, sending alarms if her blood glucose is to low, her blood glucose is falling to quickly, levels are to high or her blood glucose is rising to quickly. This information is invaluable to her medical team to ensure the right doses of insulin are given at the right times to give Zoe the most stable levels we can.

Currently Zoe has a fingerprick every two hours to measure her blood glucose, prior to the pump she was having a minimum of 6 injections a day (the pump now gives her continuous insulin). The continuous monitoring technology would ensure the most accurate information can be obtained, in real time ensuring more stable levels, and consequently giving her the best shot for a healthier life in the future.

The system costs approximately $688 per month, or $8256 per year and consists of:

1) A transmitter costing $950 (lasts a minimum of six months)

2) Sensors, which have to be changed every 7 days. A packet of four costs $530

My husband and I are extremely humbled by all the support and assistance we have had since this journey has started. We will continue to do everything and anything (including setting up this page) to ensure Zoe maintains her health and has the best quality of life we can provide for her.