Awards highlight life-changing role of T1D educators
JDRF will launch the Diabetes Educator of the Year Awards for 2013 on World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2013, which has a focus on education. The national awards recognise the life-changing work of diabetes educators who play a critical role in helping people with type one diabetes (T1D) manage a complex, lifelong disease.
JDRF, the leading global organisation funding medical research in T1D, launched the awards in 2010 to recognise the incredible impact that over 1,100 diabetes educators across Australia have on patient management of this chronic disease.
JDRF Australia CEO Mike Wilson said: “Immediately after diagnosis people with type 1 diabetes are relying on diabetes educators to help them get through this difficult time. They not only help to find the most effective treatments for managing this condition, they can play an important role in promoting long term wellbeing and happiness.
“The awards are an avenue for the T1D community in particular to thank their diabetes educators. While for us at JDRF it is an opportunity to congratulate diabetes educators who are delivering outstanding patient care and practices in the T1D field,” said Mike Wilson.
Anne Marks, Diabetes Educator of the Year People’s Choice winner in 2011 who has since set up a private practice in Kingswood, Sydney, is a strong advocate of seeking help from health experts to keep the disease under control and to continue enjoying a fulfilling life.
“T1D can be a really difficult and stressful disease to manage. Every day, it requires rigorous testing of blood glucose, multiple injections or a continuous infusion of insulin via a pump in order to stay alive. This is in addition to constantly watching what you eat and how much you exercise,” said Anne Marks.
Anne Marks says that one of the biggest challenges for children with T1D is integrating this care into school routines. As diabetes educators, they play an integral role in this process by teaching the family practical skills and working with the school to advocate for the child’s needs.
“Our goal is to make sure that the child has a safe and inclusive school environment. We find that both families and schools are really thankful of the support that we provide, since managing this complex condition does require a team approach. I feel very privileged to be involved in the process and continue to be inspired by the strength that these kids display on a daily basis,” she said.
The awards invite patients, peers and educators to nominate a diabetes educator that they believe has done an exceptional job. There are three award categories: 1. Excellence and Innovation; 2. Impact and Relationships; and 3. People’s Choice. A winner from each category will each receive a cash prize of $3,000 to spend on their clinic and resources.
Nominations are open online at from 14 November 2013 and close on 27 January 2014. The awards are judged by an industry panel in March 2014 and announced at a prestigious JDRF Gala Ball in early May 2014.
Further media information and interviews contact:
Mandy Campbell, JDRF, tel: (02) 9020 6114, mobile: 0422 929 927 or
The Diabetes Educator of the Year Awards is proudly supported by Abbott Diabetes Care, makers of Freestyle Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems.
JDRF and Type 1 Diabetes - Typically striking young people, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys the ability to produce insulin, which is vital for life. Type 1 diabetes requires a daily regime of multiple injections or continuous infusion of insulin through a pump, as well as 6 – 8 finger-prick blood tests, to stay alive.
Researchers are working hard to more fully understand the complicated mix of genetic and environmental factors that may cause or trigger this disease. However, it is certain that going on a diet or cutting down on sugar doesn’t stop type 1 diabetes.
JDRF is the world’s leading not-for-profit supporter of type 1 diabetes research globally, investing more than $1.6 billion since 1970 including more than $63million into Australian research. JDRF’s support has been behind most major advances in type 1 diabetes research in the past four decades.
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