My campaign for a cure for type 1 diabetes is as relentless, but not yet as fruitful, as my crusade for women’s football. By persevering with the search for a cure, I have seen many scientists and clinicians employed in type 1 diabetes research in Australia, with major advances to their credit that include:
• understanding how beta-cells are killed by the immune system
• knowledge of genetic links
• improved pre-clinical diagnosis and prediction
• evidence of prevention in animals
• prevention trials in humans
• successful islet transplantation in humans.
When I first met Professor Len Harrison, it had been less than ten years since type 1 diabetes had been put on the map as an autoimmune disease. At that time in Australia, there was no research on immunology, prevention or cure of this disease.
By supporting researchers to continue their work and not be wholly reliant on the outcome of funding submissions, I have witnessed outstanding progress. Australian scientists are well positioned to find the cure for type 1 diabetes.
We all know that the stakes are high. The diabetes epidemic first flagged by Professor Paul Zimmet in the 1990s is now in full view. Dr Mark Cooper believes that the majority of our health resources in the future will be directed towards the prevention and management of diabetic complications, including chronic kidney disease.
There is no slowing down in the search for a cure, but results take both time and money. I will continue to lobby parliamentarians and inspire individuals to contribute.
Funding scientific research remains a complex and imperfect game, but rather than waiting until someone is sick or dying from a disease before considering a donation, we can all act now.
My commitment to Danielle was to never ever give up in the search for a cure. I hope my story spurs you to make a donation to medical research which may mean that, in the future, people don’t have to go through what my daughter experienced.
Susan Alberti, AC