Wednesday 30 September 2015

3 Days to Thrive-abetes





Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Tuesday 29 September 2015

4 Days til Thrive-abetes




Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Monday 28 September 2015

5 Days to Thrive-abetes




Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Sunday 27 September 2015

6 days to go!!!





Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Thursday 17 September 2015

To Parents Thinking About Attending Thrive-abetes…..

When Rebecca Flanagan heard me talk about this mad idea that took shape as Thrive-abetes, she did not hesitate to say "I'm going to help you do this". You might be thinking that this is a common reaction but it isn't. The truth is that after you have taken care of your child with type 1 diabetes you don't have very much left inside of you, to take on anything else. But a few do find that strength from somewhere. I still don't know where they find it but I'm thankful that they do.

Here's what Rebecca sent to me in response to why this conference is for parents of children with type 1 diabetes.

BUT don't pay any heed to her reference to my "vision", I just wanted to get a very large group of people with type 1 diabetes in the one place to hear some bloody great speakers and have a bit of fun! (What is she like?)

"To the parents still ‘on the fence’ about attending Thrive-abetes…..













I am one of the volunteers helping with this conference and I can see Grainne’s amazing vision for what will be achieved, but I am also a parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes. I will also be a delegate at the conference. And I need this conference. My daughter was diagnosed just before her 8th birthday and is now 15. You hear about how hard the teenage years can be, but when you throw in diabetes it is a whole other ball game.

I will admit it: I am struggling. I know that as a parent it is something we don’t want to admit to – never show signs of weakness! Easier said than done, of course, and when diabetes is thrown in, at whatever age your child is, there can be many stages of struggle, weakness and burnout - for the parent and the child.

Clinic visits can be so… clinical. I rarely have been asked, ‘How are YOU doing?’ Whilst the visits are ultimately for the betterment of the child, this can hardly be achieved without the parents being 100% comfortable and made to feel ABLE to take on this disease for their child.

Empowered is a good word. As parents we should feel empowered for our children so that we, in turn, can bestow this on to them when the time comes. I don’t think we will ever get enough of this from clinic visits. It ultimately is not really their job, but where else do we go?

I’ve found where, and am so delighted to be a part of it: Thrive-abetes, Thrive with Type 1 Diabetes Conference. In my time helping my daughter with diabetes, I’ve found that there has been no better encouragement then speaking to other parents. It can be hard to say ‘I’m struggling’ but with parents like us we all GET it! And when it’s spoken about you don’t feel alone.

The conference is an opportunity to connect with other parents just like you. You might be able to help someone who has yet to reach the stage your child has already conquered, or you might find help from someone who has already been there with their child. And the speakers will be the icing on the cake. The presentations on the day will help strengthen our efforts on guiding our children with how to cope with diabetes, not just medically, but emotionally, psychologically and on a developmental level.

With all of this on offer, I’d hope that when asked, ‘How are YOU?’ we can all, after Thrive-abetes, say EMPOWERED!!"



Come Join Us! Register here for Thrive-abetes.


Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.


Saturday 12 September 2015

Announcing Thrive-abetes Exhibitors

We have 12 confirmed exhibitors at the Thrive-abetes; Thrive with Type 1 Diabetes Conference, which takes place on Saturday, October 3rd 2015 in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

We are truly grateful to all of these companies for coming on board with Thrive-abetes and helping to make it happen.
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Companies Exhibiting are;

Abbott Diabetes Care

Bayer Diabetes Care

Clonmel Healthcare
- TrueResult Blood Glucose Meters

Diabetes Insight

Diabetes Ireland

Diabetic RetinaScreen - The National screening service for people with diabetes.
Glucomen Blood Glucose Meters

Animas & Lifescan
Insulin Pumps & Continuous Glucose Meters and One Touch Verio Blood Glucose Meters.

Medicon Ireland
- GlucoMen range of blood glucose meters.

Medtronic
Insulin Pumps & Continuous Glucose Meters

Novo Nordisk
- manufacturer of insulin delivery devices such as the Flexpen and Novafine Needles.

Ypsommed
- Blood Glucose Meters, Pen Needles & Insulin Pumps


Come Join Us! Register here for Thrive-abetes.


Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. 

Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.


Monday 7 September 2015

Sponsor Spotlight Series: Ailbhe's Pump Pouches

This is the second instalment of our "Sponsor Spotlight" series, which I hope to continue over the next 3 weeks.

Sponsor Spotlight: Ailbhe's Pump Pouches

Ailbhe's Pump Pouches is run by Mairead Doyle, whose daughter Ailbhe was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Mairead also has a full time job as a nurse.

The range of Insulin Pump Pouches by Ailbhes Pump Pouches are Irish made, high quality, soft fabric pouches designed for children and adults with Type 1 Diabetes on Insulin Pump Therapy.

They come in a variety of soft colourful fabrics which are bright and fun. The pouches feature top acrylic zip closure to ensure the pump is kept securely inside. There are slit openings on either side to feed the insulin tubing through for convenience.

The belt is in matching soft fabric which makes it comfortable to wear both day and night. It is fully adjustable with Velcro closure and is available in a range of sizes.

Wider soft fabric covered elasticated belts are available as thigh belts or as upper arm belts.

1 Euro from every pouch sold on our website goes to the Diabetes Unit of Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin, where Ailbhe is a patient.

Buying an Insulin Pump Pouch from Ailbhe's Pump Pouches is a great way to get a top quality Irish made product, thereby supporting Irish jobs and enterprise, and also to support Diabetes services for our children

You can order Ailbhe's Pump Pouches direct from their website and prices range from €14-€16 plus postage and packaging.


Don't forget to Register here for Thrive-abetes.


Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Tuesday 1 September 2015

What's in the Future for Type 1 Diabetes?

​In August 2014, I was lucky enough to attend a presentation by Dr. Aaron Kowalski, from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) on what the future holds for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.


This talk was the most EXCITING and positive that I have ever attended in my two decades of living with type 1 diabetes. I came away from it with a solid belief that the next best thing to a cure (either Artificial Pancreas or Beta Cell encapsulation) is only a couple of years away! He gave a similar talk at "that conference" that I keep mentioning over at my Diabetes People blog. Here's is a run down from DiabTribe on his most recent one.

I know, how many times have we heard that the cure is only around the corner? 

I hold in my hand the prototype for the Bionic 
Pancreas, the iLet. So, so close and not so far now.
But it is! Here's proof!! The prototype of Dr. Ed Damiano's Bionic Pancreas, the iLet was revealed at FFL 2015. (See more about that big reveal here.)

It's because of Dr. Kowalski's (I'm sorry, I just can't say his name without thinking of the Penguins of Madagascar. I have children.) talk that we really wanted someone from JDRF to attend Thrive-abetes; Thrive with Type 1 Diabetes Conference.

It happens that we have our own version of Dr. Kowalski in the United Kingdom. Dr. Clare McVicker is the Director of Research Advocacy, at the type 1 diabetes research charity, JDRF UK. JDRF is the world’s leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research and its vision is a world without type 1 diabetes.

Dr. McVicker will be our closing keynote speaker at Thrive-abetes. This is our conference schedule with some more details of our other speakers and topics.


Don't forget to Register here for Thrive-abetes.


Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.