Diabetes NZ’s public advocacy work attracts the most media attention, but the practical support the organisation extends to the diabetes community is just as important. Newly-Diagnosed Packs are one example.

Diabetes NZ distributes Newly-Diagnosed Packs to young people and their families who are in the first overwhelming days of dealing with a type 1 diagnosis. Worth around $110 dollars each, the packs contain a range of useful resources and are made possible by generous sponsors.

Youth and Project Manager Marsha Mackie collates the packs at National Office and sends them to hospitals. More than 300 young people received these packs last year, and Diabetes NZ expects those numbers to rise in 2020.

Marsha says the packs are “evolving”. The newest addition is a hypo kit. The pack also contains Diabete-ezy test wipes courtesy of MediRay (for cleaning fingers before
pinprick testing), a copy of Diabetes Wellness magazine, and informative books for a range of situations.

RESOURCE RESCUE
Some books in the pack are rescued treasures. The manual Caring for Diabetes in Young People and Adolescents has been a type 1 “bible” in New Zealand and Australia since it was first published 20 years ago by the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. However, the hospital no longer produces hard copies.

Marsha says, “It’s freely available online, but we find people like having a hard copy. We have the last of the printed stock in the country, and we have permission from the Royal Children’s Hospital to print it ourselves when we run out.”

The clear, child-friendly book Diabetes Made Simple was a rescue, too. Healthcare company Novo Nordisk were cleaning out their New Zealand warehouse when they came across a stack of these forgotten treasures and thought Diabetes NZ would be best placed to use them. “The books were printed 10 years ago,” says Marsha, “but they’re still completely relevant.”

THE HYPO KIT
The new hypo kit in the packs is a handy grab-and go container with all the things you need to treat low blood sugar in a child with type 1. Marsha says, “The Auckland branch of Diabetes NZ initiated them and suggested it would be a fantastic idea if they were rolled out nationwide. We were able to introduce this only through partnerships with three companies. MediRay contributed the hypo-fit gels and dextro energy tablets. Frucor Suntory contributed fruit drinks, and Annie’s has provided fruit rolls.”

The kit gives young people, with their families and carers, a way to start learning how to treat hypos, especially in the crucial early diagnosis stage when blood sugars are especially unstable. It’s an easy way to get into the habit of carrying treatments for lows, and it also offers the opportunity to try a range of hypo-treatment options to see what works best.

WHAT NEXT?
Marsha invites suggestions from youth and families about what would be useful to add to the packs in future. One idea is a set of fun distractions for a child with type 1 or a sibling with their own unique needs. There is also a troubling emergence of type 2 diabetes in children and young people that needs to be recognised.

You can contact Marsha with your thoughts at Marsham@diabetes.org.nz

WHAT OUR COMMUNITY SAYS
“It’s definitely made it easier on diagnosis being able to give families the pack. No matter where in the country a child is diagnosed, they’ll get the same start.” Neil Owens, paediatric diabetes nurse specialist, Christchurch

“At Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland, we appreciate the supply of packs for our newly diagnosed children. The manual and equipment are invaluable.” Grace Harris, paediatric diabetes nurse specialist, Auckland

“When our daughter was diagnosed with type 1, we were given the hypo kit. It was very useful to us, and we even put together some on our own that we brought to school and have as spare at home.” Karin McCoach, parent, Auckland

**This article first appeared in the Summer 2019 issue of Diabetes Wellness magazine. Subscribe today to receive your copy.