#CGMforaLL
We Won’t Stop
October 2024 was a historic milestone for our diabetes community and for all those living with type 1 diabetes when funding became available for continuous glucose monitoring (CGMs), insulin pumps, and insulin pump consumables for all people living with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes NZ and the diabetes community actively advocated for many years for this vital technology to be funded. We thank everyone who was involved with this advocacy.
However, we will not stop until CGMs are funded for all, so the advocacy will continue. Help us continue the fight for the thousands of New Zealanders living on insulin who have been excluded from the funding.
Phil McKinnon received funding for a CGM last year. “I couldn’t believe the difference it made. It was like a fog had been lifted from my brain. Totally unbelievable. I was not aware what higher glucose was doing to me. I still have lows, but I don’t have those extremes.”
Prior to the funding, Phil had been lucky enough to be put on a trial to use a CGM for a month. Now retired, Phil told us “I had to decide if I hadn’t been funded, whether I’d continue or not because it was so much money each month. But I didn’t want to stop using them. You become so reliant on it – it’s made a massive difference to me.”
Lesley-Ann lives with type 2 diabetes and was diagnosed 16 years ago after she contracted an illness which took out her pancreas. Lesley-Ann says, “Initially I had no idea what diabetes was or how to look after myself.”
On top of diabetes, Lesley-Ann was then diagnosed with breast cancer. “I had 10 years of oral treatments. My blood sugar control was at best shocking.” And then Lesley-Ann was diagnosed with a second bout of cancer – this was the tipping point for her.
Three years ago, Lesley-Ann was put on a trial for a CGM. This was a life saver for her. “My CGM was an absolute godsend. With steroids for nausea for three days after chemo my monitor was reading way up at about 22+. Thankfully I had no need to constantly prick my fingers on top of the grotty treatments. When I had to be isolated to keep me safe while immuno-compromised my trusty monitor was attached and doing her job. My CGM was able to shout before I got into serious trouble.”
“The other side of the coin was that I was often too sick on chemo to eat properly and there again I could instantly observe what my levels were without doing any fingerpicks. I cannot imagine what life would have been like without my ‘roach’ as I lovingly named my sensor.”
Her trial for her CGM ends in less than a year which means she will need to self-fund the CGM as she is type 2. Lesley-Ann says: “I am eternally grateful for the trial as I could never have afforded these lifesaving ‘roaches’. I am unable to work due to various side effects of my treatments and I have no income and no sickness benefit either.”
“However, I am fortunate to have a husband to help with my daily costs of living, but I can’t imagine what it is like for other people on low incomes with no support. This tool is not a luxury. It’s essential to effectively manage diabetes.”
“I honestly couldn’t afford to fund these after my trial ends even with the help of my husband. It would mean a life and death situation for me. I would have to give in to diabetes.”
Thank you to everyone who is joining us on our journey. Want to be part of that? Email your story to comms@diabetes.org.nz and help us make #CGMforall a reality.