MEDIA RELEASE: Kiwi pop duo reveal daughter’s shock diabetes diagnosis
Kiwi pop sensation Vince Harder and his talented wife Abby Lee-Harder are releasing a charity song after a life-changing family diagnosis.
Vince and Abby’s world was turned upside down when daughter Presley, 2, was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
The Popstars panelist and his singer-songwriter wife are opening up about the diagnosis for the first time, with the release of their charity single and music video ‘Overwhelmed’.
Proceeds from downloads and plays of the song will go to Diabetes NZ, a charity that has supported the Harders since Presley’s diagnosis. Diabetes NZ aims to help the 260,000 Kiwis who have diabetes, to live well. There are more than 25,000 Kiwis currently living with type 1 diabetes, many of whom are children.
The beautifully crafted track ‘Overwhelmed’ documents the journey the Harder whānau has gone through since Presley’s diagnosis in 2020. Sonically the listener travels through the real and raw emotions shared by the Harder’s highlighting the tremendous daily struggles of supporting a family member with type 1 diabetes.
“When we received the diagnosis, we knew our lives had changed forever. She went from being a healthy baby to having a condition that would impact her for the rest of her life,” says Vince.
“We felt completely overwhelmed, and that was the inspiration for our song.”
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that can come on at any age, with no known cause, prevention, or cure.
The Harders are also advocating for the government to fully fund continuous glucose monitors (CGM), a device that has been life changing for managing Presley’s diabetes. This expensive technology is currently funded in other countries but in New Zealand, only those who can afford CGMs can benefit. CGMs redefine how people with diabetes manage the condition, by electronically recording blood glucose levels and transmitting information to an insulin pump, smart phone and/or sensor. Using a CGM means the Harders can manage Presley’s blood glucose levels from their smart phones no matter where they are and avoid the need for constant finger prick tests.
Diabetes NZ has recently presented a petition to a government select committee advocating for the funding of CGMs.
Prior to using a CGM, the Harders had to test their young daughter’s blood glucose levels up to 15 times a day, including throughout the night, using a painful finger prick to draw blood. This was on top of multiple daily insulin injections, constant checking of what she was eating, and never-ending worry about leaving her in someone else’s care due to her illness.
“Constantly checking blood glucose levels is exhausting. But if it’s not checked regularly, it could be life-threatening. Before she got a CGM, Presley’s little fingertips were covered in calluses and sores from being pricked so many times” says Abby.
The Harders believe everyone with diabetes should have access to CGM technology, not only those who can afford it.
Vince says he is grateful for the support his whānau has received from Diabetes NZ since Presley’s diagnosis.
“We thought what better way to give back to this charity than by using what we are good at – making music – to make a difference,” says Vince. “We hope that by sharing our story, we can spread awareness about this life-long condition and the importance of getting CGM technology funded for all New Zealanders with diabetes.”
Diabetes NZ CEO Heather Verry says the organisation is forever grateful to Vince and Abby for their bravery in sharing a deeply personal story. “It’s a beautiful song that we hope everyone will connect with. Encourage all of your friends and whānau to download or listen to the song, knowing Diabetes NZ will invest the proceeds in helping New Zealanders with the condition to live well,” says Verry.
‘Overwhelmed’ will be available on all major music platforms August 13th.
Download the track to support Diabetes NZ.
You can also watch the ‘Overwhelmed’ music video featuring Vince, Abby and Presley, as well as other type 1 families here.
@vincehardr @abbyleeharder