JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

On Tuesday 28 July 40 children with type 1 diabetes from around Victoria visited Parliament House for Kids in the House. The Kids met with 25 Members of Parliament to tell them their compelling stories about life with this difficult disease and their hopes for a cure.

V8 Supercar driver Jack Perkins, who has type 1 diabetes, launched the World’s Biggest Fingerprick. With MPs and supporters taking part, more than 170 people joined together to prick their finger and share a moment of life with type 1 diabetes on the steps of Parliament House.

Fingerpricks are an essential part of the painful daily routine that keeps people with type 1 diabetes alive.

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A JDRF trial shows that continuous glucose monitor (CGM) devices help to maintain tight blood sugar levels whilst lowering the risk of dangerously low blood sugar.

There is extensive research to show that tight blood glucose control is the best way to prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes complications such as kidney failure, retinopathy and heart disease. According to results from the Diabetes Complications and Control Trial, every one point reduction in HbA1C reduces the risk of long-term complications by approximately 40%.

Unfortunately, research has also shown that one of the hurdles to tight blood sugar control is the risk of hypoglycemia – both real and perceived.

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