One hundred JDRF Youth Ambassadors aged 3 to 32, all with type 1 diabetes, converged on Parliament House to personally ask for government funding for type 1 diabetes research and a Clinical Trials Network (CTN).

Photo: 247 Studios

Prior to the PM’s arrival at the presentation, supporters, including nearly 100 MPs and Senators, simultaneously pricked their fingers to check their blood sugar in a gesture of solidarity for those who live with type 1 diabetes and must do this up to 8 times a day.

Dr Alberti’s personal commitment of $500,000 is the inaugural donation to the JDRF CTN Fund, which is targeted to reach $10 million. Total funding required to establish a CTN in Australia is forecast at $50 million.

The Prime Minister said “Dr Susan Alberti AO is one of Australia’s leading philanthropists, and her tireless commitment to diabetes research is an example to all”.

Dr Alberti said “I am pleased to be playing my part in establishing a Clinical Trials Network in Australia to improve the lives of all the children and adults affected by this disease.”

JDRF CEO Mike Wilson welcomed the commitments made by Dr Alberti and the Prime Minister as an important initial step towards launching a CTN.

“This is a strong and positive first step towards the proposed $40m of Government support to enable the establishment of an Australian CTN.”

“Australia is home to some of the world’s top scientists and we punch above our weight in terms of research, but there is room for improvement translating research into outcomes for patients.”

“A Clinical Trials Network would attract international clinical trials and new investment to Australia, and help the best Australian science progress to where people can benefit. We should take every opportunity to be the clever country.”

“Public investment in research delivers substantial long term benefits and a Clinical Trials Network would be one step towards reducing one of the heaviest burdens on Australia’s health system – diabetes.”

“Australia has one of the highest rates of type 1 diabetes in the world and the rate of new cases in Australian children is rising by 3% every year. This situation is urgent.”

The 100 Youth Ambassadors from electorates across the country spent the day meeting personally with MPs to explain why they desperately need government funding for projects like the CTN, to improve Australian patients’ access to the latest science and speed up the process of curing this serious disease.

They were joined by one of the newest recruits of AFL team The Western Bulldogs, Sam Reid. Sam announced earlier this year that he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in November. He joined the Youth Ambassadors to share stories about managing blood glucose levels during sport.