GodZone Guys making a difference!

Hi guys

An update from Diabetes NZ on what the donations are paying for as the guys trek and canoe their next leg.

Each year more families face a life changing diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, the diagnosis can be a steep learning curve and at times feel scary, overwhelming and lead to other questions.

Diabetes NZ are there to support these families right from the start and throughout the life-long journey. They do this by gifting for free both the Newly Diagnosed pack and the Jerry-the-bear pack.

Last year Diabetes NZ gifted over 360 Newly diagnosed packs at a cost of $160 per pack.

A pack is full of resources to compliment the training provided by health care professionals. Each pack then becomes a fantastic reference tool for young people with diabetes and their families when they return home.

Each Newly Diagnosed Pack includes resources to help people:

Learn more about managing Type 1 diabetes.

Share key diabetes information with their school or childcare centre.

Record their blood glucose levels.

Keep daily diabetes supplies all in one place.

They also gifted 103 to children with type 1 diabetes, costing $130 per pack. Each pack includes Jerry the bear, who also has type 1 diabetes, and with the help of the Jerry the bear App, children discover how they can still play with their friends, take part in sport and enjoy their life to the full, all while learning more about managing their diabetes.

Diabetes NZ rely on the generosity of members of the public, sponsors and grants to ensure they can continue to support each child living with type 1 diabetes. Team You Only Live Once committed to supporting young people living with type 1 diabetes, as they knew one week taking part in GodZone adventure would only be a small challenge as the climbed and transverse over an unknown course across Aotearoa would be mild compared to those families living with and supporting children living with type 1 diabetes.

These families no longer have a full night’s sleep as they monitor their child, to avoid life threatening blood glucose lows. They navigate life with type 1 diabetes every day, it’s estimated that people with diabetes face up to 180 diabetes-related decisions every day. That’s more than 65,000 extra decisions a year. What other children and families don’t have to think too much about things like an invitation for a sleepover at a friend’s requires preparation and planning to ensure the child is safe and wakes the following morning.