Xoma Labs has been named the Grand Innovation Challenge winner, following a nationwide search for innovative technologies to transform the lives of people living with diabetes.  

Ten of the nation’s leading diabetes med-tech innovators were selected as finalists in the 2026 芒果直播 Grand Innovation Challenge, pitching their ideas to a live audience during the Community Day event at the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress.  

First prize聽valued at $200,000聽went to聽Xoma聽Labs, for their聽wearable聽glucose聽monitor聽entry, which聽aims聽to聽provide non-invasive聽real-time聽monitoring聽through聽a聽ring-based device.聽

芒果直播鈥檚 Group CEO Justine Cain congratulated the winners, saying that judges had a tough time picking a leading entry from a strong field of applicants.  

“Australian researchers and innovators have fantastic ideas, and the judges were incredibly impressed with the depth and breadth of innovation,” Ms Cain said.  

“We’ve deliberately sought bold ideas that are grounded in the lived experience of people living with diabetes, and can demonstrate tangible solutions to improve the lives of the people that need them the most.  

鈥溍⒐辈� is proud to invest $500,000 in the Grand Innovation Challenge as we seek to fast track the most promising diabetes innovations in the country. 

“Congratulations to Xoma Labs, and to all the successful applicants. We’ve very excited to see your work come to life and have a real impacts on people living with diabetes. 

Xoma Labs Chief Medical Officer Dr Erin Saricilar said the funding would help fund an apex trial that would bring the device closer to realisation.   

鈥淭he trial is currently earmarked to commence in January 2027, and if it goes to plan should be completed within a few months of starting,鈥� Mr Saricilar said.  

鈥淢y wife and I started with a small idea, realising that we could make it much better, and through countless difficult nights, we鈥檝e created something that we’re remarkably proud of. 

鈥淚t’s just amazing to be recognised by 芒果直播 for the hard work that we’ve already done, we’re looking forward to being able to make a real impact for people that really need it.鈥� 

Six winners have shared $500,000 in funding from the Grand Innovation Challenge.   

The full list of successful pitches includes 鈥� 

• Grand Innovation Challenge Winner ($200,000): Xoma Labs 

• Excellence in Innovation ($100,000): ImmunoBiota Therapeutics Pty Ltd 

• Technology Impact Prize ($50,000): CAD Spectral Technologies 

• Innovation Merit Prize ($50,000): Endo Axiom Pty Ltd 

• Emerging Technology Prize ($50,000): Lumina Medtech 

• Advancement Prize ($50,000): CuraTech Pty Ltd 

The 芒果直播 Grand Innovation Challenge is proudly supported by the Coghlan Family through a generous bequest of Charles Campbell Coghlan OAM. 

The Western-Pacific鈥檚 largest diabetes and metabolic health congress has opened with a Community Day in Melbourne, delivering the 500,000^th Shane Warne Legacy health check to highlight the importance of cardiometabolic health screenings, and the urgent nature of the type 2 diabetes epidemic facing the region. 

Brendan Lynch, whose life was saved on the day the Shane Warne Legacy launched in 2023, will take the 500,000th health check alongside Shane Watson at the Community Day. Without the Shane Warne Legacy, Brendan simply would not be here today to mark this extraordinary milestone and take on this special honour at congress.聽

The milestone marks the start of four days of leading research, clinical best practice, and lived experience from delegates representing the wider Pacific through to South Korea, Japan, and India.  

Shane Warne was a fixture of Australian sport, both as a larger-than-life cricketer, but also as an iconic personality with a passion for community and helping people.    

Since launching in 2023 with founding partner Latrobe Health Services and health partner 芒果直播, the SWL Health Check program has prompted 1 in 5 participants to seek medical advice and 85% of participants to take action to improve their health following the free health check.   

The milestone comes as leading clinicians, researchers, educators, and community advocates gather for the biennial International Diabetes Federation 鈥� Western Pacific Region (IDF-WPR) Congress, being hosted in conjunction with the Australasian Diabetes Congress, and Metabolic Diseases 2026.  

An estimated 215 million people across the Western-Pacific region live with all types of diabetes, making it the most urgent and fastest-growing public health challenge in the region.  

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain welcomed the Shane Warne Legacy Health Check milestone, saying the program demonstrated the important role screening and prevention could have in public health outcomes. 

鈥淚n聽Australia alone,聽there is a聽diabetes diagnosis every five聽minutes,聽with聽an estimated聽500,000 Australians聽silently聽living with聽undiagnosed聽type 2聽diabetes,鈥澛燤s Cain said.聽聽

鈥淭his Congress is an opportunity to showcase leading Australian research in diabetes management and prevention, the latest in clinical care, and to hear directly from people living with diabetes about their lives, how they live well with diabetes, as well as the latest innovations.鈥�  

Ms Cain said it was an honour to host the 500,000^th Shane Warne Legacy Health Check at the Community Day, saying the initiative had highlighted the importance of health screening in the community.  

鈥淩eaching half a million Shane Warne Legacy health checks is a remarkable achievement and a powerful reflection of Shane Warne鈥檚 enduring legacy,鈥� Ms Cain said.  

鈥淭o reach this milestone at an event focused on diabetes is especially meaningful, demonstrating the impact that awareness and early detection can have in improving health outcomes in communities across Australia and beyond.鈥� 

Former Australian Test and One Day International star Shane Watson and AFL icon and type 1 diabetes advocate Paddy McCartin joined 芒果直播鈥檚 Group CEO Justine Cain to open the Congress during a special Community Day session ahead of the main Congress program.    

Friend of the Shane Warne Legacy, Shane Watson, said his mate Warnie would be chuffed with the way the community had embraced the Legacy program, rolling up their sleeves in the name of better health. 

鈥淪hane would have been so proud of the impact that鈥檚 being achieved through these health checks,鈥� Mr Watson said.  

鈥淚 have a history of type 2 diabetes in my family, so encouraging people to get a free health check and understand their risk factors is something that鈥檚 very close to my heart. To do that in Shane鈥檚 honour and see it be such a success is a real privilege.鈥�  

AFL legend and type 1 diabetes advocate Paddy McCartin said the Congress would be a place for people living with all types of diabetes to hear the latest in research and innovation, while sharing community and lived experience stories.  

 
“I want every person diagnosed to know that this condition doesn鈥檛 have to hold you back. With the right support and mindset, you can achieve anything.” 

Ms Cain said the Congress and Community Day would explore the impact that diabetes has on not just the individual but on the wider community and the health system, as well as inspiring stories of resilience, and growth, among the latest from global leaders in diabetes, metabolic, and cardiovascular research.聽

鈥淭oo often, conversations about diabetes happen without enough input from the people who live with it every day. Community Day is about changing that. It puts the voices, experiences and聽expertise聽of people living with diabetes at the centre of the discussion, because they are experts in what it takes to live well with this condition,鈥� Ms Cain said.聽

鈥淏ringing together people living with diabetes, families, clinicians, researchers and advocates alongside global experts creates a powerful opportunity to learn from one another, challenge assumptions and drive meaningful change,鈥� she said. 

Shane Warne Legacy health check stations are available as part of a dedicated Community Day at the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress. 

Free Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks, conducted on SiSU Health Stations, are non-invasive, fast, and free. They include measurements of blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), type 2 diabetes risk, and estimated heart age – crucial indicators of cardiometabolic health. 

The International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress will take place this week alongside the Australasian Diabetes Congress and Metabolic Diseases 2026 hosted with the Australian Diabetes Society and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association.  

The event is being delivered in collaboration with the Melbourne Convention Bureau and with support from the Victorian Government鈥檚 Business Events and Tourism Australia鈥檚 Events Bid Fund Program. 

芒果直播 has been appointed to deliver the Commonwealth-funded Insulin Pump Program (IPP).

This announcement will see 芒果直播 deliver the program over the next 3 years on behalf of the Australian Government, ensuring continued access to life-changing diabetes technology for eligible young Australians living with type 1 diabetes.

The Insulin Pump Program was established by the Australian Government in 2008 and has been delivered by Breakthrough T1D Australia (formerly JDRF Australia) since its inception. Originally supporting children under 18 facing the greatest financial barriers to accessing insulin pump therapy, the program expanded in 2022 to include eligible young people up to 21 years of age following sustained advocacy by Breakthrough T1D and the type 1 diabetes community.

The program builds on more than 18 years of delivery by Breakthrough T1D Australia, which established and administered the IPP on behalf of the Australian Government from its inception in 2008.

The IPP provides fully subsidised insulin pumps to children and young people under the age of 21 who meet both financial and clinical eligibility criteria.

芒果直播 Group CEO Justine Cain said delivering the IPP further demonstrates the organisation鈥檚 commitment to supporting people living with diabetes.

鈥淎n insulin pump isn鈥檛 just a medical device, it can be a life saver,鈥� she said.

鈥溍⒐辈� is standing on the frontline of technology access by taking on the delivery of the IPP and we鈥檙e committed to doing so in the best interests of people living with diabetes.

鈥淏y removing significant upfront costs, this program improves access to pumps that would otherwise be financially out of reach for many families,鈥� Ms Cain said.

Insulin pump therapy plays a critical role in supporting improved blood glucose management and enhancing quality of life. It reduces the daily burden of diabetes management by minimising the need for multiple daily injections and enabling more flexible routines for children and their families.

鈥淚mportantly, the IPP helps reduce stress for families, allowing them to focus more on their child鈥檚 overall health and wellbeing.

鈥溍⒐辈� will ensure continuity of access for all existing participants throughout the transition period, with no disruption to current support arrangements,鈥� Ms Cain said.

Delivering the IPP reinforces 芒果直播鈥檚 commitment to improving outcomes and access to care for Australians living with diabetes, particularly children and young people who can benefit most from early access to advanced technology.

The program has a limited number of insulin pumps available each year, and meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that a pump will be available at the time of application.  

Find out more here: /kids-and-teens/insulin-pump-program/

芒果直播, Australian聽Unity聽and Deakin University join forces to build a more complete picture of life with diabetes.聽

For the first time, the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index will be used to build the most complete picture yet of how diabetes affects Australian鈥檚 lives beyond clinical outcomes and health system costs, thanks to a partnership聽between聽芒果直播,聽Deakin University, and the Australian Unity Support Foundation.聽聽

The partnership will explore a growing recognition that the true impact of diabetes is not fully captured by hospital visits, treatment costs, or clinical measures alone. 

Current estimates place the financial cost of diabetes to the health system at $9 billion year, but this measure just captures clinical settings.  

International studies indicate that at least one quarter of the impact happens outside of the health system, meaning the real impact to Australians living with diabetes may be vastly under-represented.  

Diabetes impacts beyond clinical management to include mental wellbeing, financial security, personal relationships, community connection and people鈥檚 ability to shape their own lives. 

And, with more than two million Australians living with both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, the effects extend to many corners of life.   

Now, the nation鈥檚 leading wellbeing index will produce the most comprehensive snapshot yet of diabetes鈥� wider impact, aiming to shift the conversation towards recognising whole-of-life impact rather than solely relying on health system interactions.   

The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index is a fixture on the national policy-making calendar, with this partnership bringing together the Australian Unity Support Foundation, 芒果直播, and Deakin University to deliver a landmark research project focused on the lived experience of diabetes.   

The partnership was formally launched at聽a聽forum in Melbourne聽today (Wednesday, 12 August), bringing together health leaders, researchers and people living with diabetes to examine what it means to live well with聽diabetes, where聽new聽research is聽needed聽and聽what health systems, services and policymakers can do to better support聽care and management outside of clinical settings.聽聽

The launch comes ahead of next weeks鈥� International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress in Melbourne, where researchers from Deakin University, the Australian Unity Support Foundation and 芒果直播 will introduce the initiative to an international health, research and lived-experience audience. 

Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Australian Unity, said the partnership would help build a more complete understanding of whether Australia鈥檚 health and support systems were working for people living with diabetes.  

鈥淲ellbeing isn鈥檛 a soft add-on to healthcare. It is one of the clearest ways we can understand whether care is improving people鈥檚 lives ,鈥� Ms Bayer Rosmarin said.  

鈥淔or more than twenty-five years Australian Unity has studied what helps Australians live well. By applying that evidence to the lived experience of people with diabetes, we can build a clearer picture of what people need and help shape better policy, services and support.鈥�  

Justine Cain, Group CEO, 芒果直播, said the partnership would give greater visibility to the unseen impact of living with diabetes.  

鈥淐linical measures such as glucose monitoring remain essential, but can鈥檛 tell us about the impact diabetes has on daily life,鈥� Ms Cain said.  

鈥淒iabetes care cannot be judged by clinical outcomes alone. If clinicians focus exclusively on HbA1c, weight or other clinical indicators without considering how people feel, function and live with their condition, they are not providing truly person-centred care. 

鈥淧eople living with diabetes can make up to 180 extra decisions a day, and they tell us the impact extends to their mental health, relationships, finances, work and sense of independence. This partnership puts those lived experiences at the centre of the evidence to help us better understand the real cost, and where change is needed,鈥� she said.  

Dr Kate Lycett of Deakin University said rigorous research would provide a pathway for lived experience to inform meaningful policy and practice.  

鈥淐ombining established wellbeing measures with the experiences of people living with diabetes will give us a much richer understanding of the condition鈥檚 impact,鈥� Dr Lycett said.  

鈥淒eakin鈥檚 role is to ensure the partnership is underpinned by rigorous, evidence-based research that can translate lived experience into meaningful improvements in policy, programs and services.鈥�  

People living with diabetes will contribute throughout the development of the research, including through 芒果直播鈥檚 Blue Circle Collective, to ensure the questions asked and the insights generated reflect real-world experiences and priorities.  

The partners intend for the research to contribute to future policy submissions, service design, advocacy and program development, with further details about the research methodology and timing to be announced as the program progresses. 

A new partnership between 芒果直播 and the Medibank Better Health Research Hub will support Monash University to develop a primary care model to better detect and prevent type 2 diabetes in women living with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). 

PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), is a hormonal and metabolic condition affecting 1 in 8 women in Australia, with impacts on weight, mental health and wellbeing, skin and the reproductive system.  

Despite women living with the condition having a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, they often face challenges in diagnosis and prevention options in primary care settings. 

The project will pilot a new screening and management tool for women living with PMOS that integrates into existing general practice workflows, aiming to streamline identification, referrals to specialists and prevention programs including the Get Healthy Service administered by 芒果直播, as well as shared decision-making, into existing approaches to care.  

芒果直播 Group CEO Justine Cain said the project highlighted a significant gap in women鈥檚 health research, with PMOS a well-known risk factor that could help identify and prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.  

鈥淲omen living with PMOS are four times more likely to develop diabetes over their lifetime. That鈥檚 a statistic we鈥檙e hoping to change through the development of better screening and prevention tools,鈥� Ms Cain said.  

鈥淧MOS, like diabetes, can be hard to diagnose, and affects hormonal balance for up to one in eight women. 

鈥淗istoric and ongoing research gaps in women鈥檚 health further complicate this challenge, meaning many women who are diagnosed with PMOS aren鈥檛 informed about their elevated diabetes risk, which is a real concern.  

鈥溍⒐辈� is excited to partner with Medibank and Monash University to deliver research that will drive real change in women鈥檚 health outcomes.鈥� 

Dr Shona Sundaraj, Group Medical Director at Medibank said the research is an opportunity to improve health outcomes for women. 

鈥淭oo many women living with PMOS are not informed about their elevated risk of type 2 diabetes until much later in their healthcare journey,鈥� Dr Sundaraj said. 

鈥淏y better supporting GPs to identify and manage this risk in their patients, we have an opportunity to intervene earlier and improve the long-term health outcomes for our patients.  

鈥淔or the women themselves, it鈥檚 about giving them the knowledge and tools to empower them in their health and healthcare.鈥� 

Monash University Centre for Health Research and Implementation lead investigator Dr Stephanie Cowan said the award would help advance primary care and screening tools that better cater for women鈥檚 health needs.  

鈥淭his funding gives us the opportunity to move beyond knowing what good care looks like for women with PMOS and actually build the systems and tools that make it possible in everyday practice,鈥� Dr Cowan said.  

鈥淏y embedding guideline-recommended screening and lifestyle support directly into GP workflows, this project will ensure that the millions of Australian women with PMOS who face a four-fold higher risk of type 2 diabetes are identified early and connected to care before that risk becomes reality.鈥� 

The project will start in July 2026 and operate until June 2028.  

A total of $230,000 will be invested, with contributions from 芒果直播 and the Medibank Better Health Research Hub to support this important research led by Monash University. 

New report shows free Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks are changing lives

Latrobe Health Services, a not-for-profit member-owned health fund, has partnered with the Shane Warne Legacy since 2023 and is proud to be the Legacy’s Founding Partner, supporting the delivery of free health checks to communities across Australia.

Together with Health Partner, 芒果直播, the partnership has supported Shane Warne Legacy to deliver free health checks across the country, raising awareness of cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risks.

The Shane Warne Legacy Health Check program has brought more than 490,000 free, accessible health checks into places where people already go such as major sporting events, Priceline Pharmacies, workplaces and community events, making early action in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes easier.

Recent research commissioned by Latrobe Health, in collaboration with IPSOS, surveyed over 1,224 people aged 18 to 65 from diverse demographics and metro and regional locations, comparing those who have undergone health checks with those who have not.

The findings reveal critical insights into health literacy, motivations and behaviours surrounding the health checks.

Results of the research show:

• 85% of health check participants took action as a result of their health check

• 78% of health check participants felt more able to take proactive steps to prevent serious health issues (84% for those participants with a risk factor)

• 52% of health check participants believe the health check improved their health, with regional participants (60%) more likely to agree with this statement

• 39% of health check participants felt the health check was the single most important thing they had done for their health in 12 months, jumping to 43% for regional Australians and 45% for those with a risk factor

• 20% of health check participants booked an appointment with a healthcare provider

• 94% of participants would recommend the health check to others

Additionally, the research indicates that the vast majority (85%) of Shane Warne Legacy Health Check
participants went on to do something good for their health, from improving diet and increasing exercise to seeking medical advice. For those at higher risk, that number is significantly higher at 91%, with many taking more proactive steps such as booking follow-up appointments with their doctor or researching their health further.

As a not-for-profit health fund, Latrobe Health Services is all in on improving inclusivity and equity in healthcare, especially for those in rural and regional areas. Regional participants, in particular, valued the Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks as a practical solution where health services can be harder to reach.

The primary motivator for taking a health check was it being free, followed by curiosity about personal
health, particularly in regional areas where access to health information and services is often limited.
Regional participants demonstrated proactivity post-check, notably in improving diet and scheduling
follow-up health appointments.

鈥淭his research confirms what we鈥檝e always believed: when barriers to health screening are removed, people engage with the screening and act on their results. Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks are helping more Australians understand their health, act on potential risks sooner and take meaningful steps towards a healthier future,鈥� said Ian Whitehead, CEO of Latrobe Health Services.

鈥淭he outcomes for people taking advantage of the free health checks are clear 鈥� they only take five minutes and can spark positive changes in your life,鈥� added Whitehead.

The checks, conducted on SiSU Health Stations, are non-invasive, fast, and free. They include
measurements of blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), diabetes risk, and estimated heart age – crucial indicators of cardiometabolic health.

鈥淭his research confirms what we鈥檝e seen on the ground since day one. People don鈥檛 avoid their health
because they don鈥檛 care, they avoid it because it鈥檚 hard to access and harder to understand. Strip away those barriers and give people clear answers, and they act. That鈥檚 the whole idea behind Shane Warne Legacy, and these results tell us we鈥檙e just getting started,鈥� stated Rob Tassie, CEO of Shane Warne Legacy.

鈥淎lmost half a million health checks and counting. But the number that matters most to me is 85 per
cent, that鈥檚 how many people did something about their health as a result. That鈥檚 real impact, and it鈥檚
why we鈥檒l keep pushing to get these checks in front of more Australians,鈥� added Tassie.

鈥淪hane Warne Legacy Health Checks are a powerful tool in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, and this
report demonstrates the powerful impact they are having in the community,鈥� said Justine Cain, Group
CEO of 芒果直播.

The Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks exemplify the critical importance of bringing healthcare to
where people are. With the right technology and partnerships, lives can be changed in mere minutes.

Thanks to support from Latrobe Health Services and 芒果直播, these life-changing health
checks are available for free across Australia, marking a new model for nationwide health intervention.

The program for the combined International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region (IDF-WPR) Congress, Australasian Diabetes Congress, and Metabolic Diseases 2026 has been announced, showcasing a comprehensive agenda spanning research, clinical care, education, policy and lived experience.

Hosted by the Australian Diabetes Society (ADS) and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) together with 芒果直播, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18 to 21 August, the Congress will bring together leading experts from across Australia, the Western Pacific, and internationally.

Featuring an extensive international speaker line鈥憉p, the Congress will explore the latest advances in diabetes and metabolic disease, including prevention, treatment innovation, technology, health systems and models of care.

Dedicated regional symposia and collaborative sessions will highlight shared challenges and opportunities across diverse health systems throughout Asia and the Western Pacific.

Focusing on evidence-based care, the Congress will examine regional challenges to diabetes, including integrated care models in a region with an alarming increase in diagnoses.

With many near-neighbour countries across the Pacific and Asia facing significant challenges in managing the diabetes burden that they are facing, implementing integrated care models can assist the health system to provide effective and efficient management of diabetes and its complications.

The Congress will also examine the latest developments in technology, including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, and the case for equitable and affordable access to insulin pumps for people with type 1 diabetes.

In research, a focus on diverse perspectives from Australian and international experts will discuss the latest in diabetes and wider metabolic disease advancement and consider how to address one of the most pressing health challenges facing the region.

Importantly, there will be a clear focus on lived experience, with a dedicated community day for people living with diabetes, and a Congress stream dedicated to focussing on lived experience, ensuring the perspectives of people living with diabetes are integrated alongside scientific, clinical and policy discussions.

The Congress will showcase the critical role of diabetes education in improving outcomes for people living with diabetes and their carers, friends, and family.

Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) and other health professionals working in diabetes education, research and care, play a key leadership role in helping people navigate increasingly complex treatment options, technologies and care pathways while empowering them to successfully self-manage their condition.

By bringing together leading experts, emerging research and lived experience, the Congress provides a unique opportunity for learning, collaboration and the exchange of ideas that can help shape the future of diabetes care across our region.

About 215 million adults are currently living with diabetes across the Western Pacific Region, . Building a skilled and sustainable diabetes workforce is essential to meeting this growing health challenge, and the Congress provides a valuable opportunity to share evidence, innovation and best practice from across the region.

Hosting the Congress in Melbourne reflects the strength of Australia鈥檚 health and medical research sector and the city鈥檚 position as a hub for international collaboration and innovation.

The event is being delivered in collaboration with the Melbourne Convention Bureau and with support from the Victorian Government鈥檚 Business Events and Tourism Australia鈥檚 Events Bid Fund Program.

The International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress is a biennial event held in collaboration with diabetes societies from across eastern Asia and the Pacific.

Registration and full program details are available at diabetescongress2026.com

Melanie Gray Morris	Sof Andrikopoulos	Justine Cain
CEO, Australian Diabetes Educators Association	Group CEO, Australian Diabetes Society	Group CEO, 芒果直播

As Australian basketball star Lara McSpadden prepares to fly to Glasgow to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games, she is carrying far more than the green and gold.

The 25-year-old Gangurrus 3×3 representative lives with type 1 diabetes, making her a powerful example of this year鈥檚 National Diabetes Week message that when people living with diabetes share their experiences, everyone is stronger together.

This year鈥檚 National Diabetes Week (July 12-18) campaign, Living Out Loud, is encouraging the two million Australians living with diabetes to speak openly, without apology, about the realities of living with the condition and the support that helps them thrive. 芒果直播鈥檚 campaign invites people with lived experience, carers, health professionals and diabetes researchers to share a declaration that finishes the sentence: 鈥淚 wish people knew鈥︹��

As a 芒果直播 Blue Circle Collective Ambassador, Lara hopes her story gives confidence to others, especially young people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

鈥淚 wish people knew you can represent Australia with diabetes,鈥� Ms McSpadden said.

Diabetes has never stopped this 193cm-tall champion from chasing her dreams. Instead, it has become another part of preparing to compete at the highest level.

Diagnosed at the age of seven, Lara has represented Australia at junior and senior levels, won world championship and Asia Cup gold medals, and now heads to Glasgow determined to see Australia succeed once again.

鈥淚 never pretend type 1 diabetes is easy,鈥� Ms McSpadden said.

鈥淚t means making hundreds of extra decisions every day and constantly thinking ahead, particularly when I am training or competing. But I have never believed diabetes should decide what I can achieve.

鈥淚 have been incredibly fortunate to have supportive parents, teammates, coaches and health professionals around me. That support has made all the difference.

鈥淚 want young people living with diabetes to know they can still chase big dreams. There will be difficult days, but diabetes does not define who you are or what you are capable of,鈥� she said.

Speaking at Keilor Basketball Stadium in Melbourne for the launch of National Diabetes Week, 芒果直播鈥檚 Group CEO Justine Cain said Lara perfectly captures the spirit of this year鈥檚 campaign.

鈥淟ara is living proof that diabetes is not a barrier to ambition, achievement or success. She is also honest about the daily work that goes into managing type 1 diabetes, and that honesty is incredibly important,鈥� Ms Cain said.

鈥淟iving Out Loud is about making sure the voices of people living with diabetes are heard. Too often, diabetes is reduced to statistics or misunderstood through myths and stereotypes. The people living with it every day are the experts in what life with diabetes is really like.鈥�

Ms Cain said many Australians living with diabetes still experienced stigma, misunderstanding and isolation.

鈥淲hen people share their stories, they help others feel less alone. They challenge misconceptions, build understanding and create momentum for better care, better policies, better research and stronger support.

鈥淭his National Diabetes Week we are inviting every Australian living with diabetes to speak up about the one thing they have always wished people understood. Every voice matters because real change happens when we speak together,鈥� Ms Cain said.

Whether living with diabetes, caring for someone who is, working in the health sector or simply wanting to learn more, Australians are encouraged to join the conversation during National Diabetes Week and help create a future where nobody living with diabetes feels invisible or alone.

About 芒果直播

芒果直播 is the national peak body supporting people living with, and at risk of, diabetes. We are leading the national response to Australia’s largest health crisis, working in collaboration with people with lived experience, member organisations, peak bodies, health professionals, state-based organisations, researchers and the community. Our work focuses on supporting people with diabetes to live well, providing information, resources, and support services, as well as investing in prevention, and reducing the impact of diabetes on people, health systems and society. We advocate for positive change that will create a healthier future for everyone.      

A major funding boost will expand digital health solutions for complex care in the Northern Territory (NT), thanks to a joint investment from 芒果直播 and Lilly Australia, in partnership with Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies).  

The grant of $680,000 will enable Menzies to expand its innovative work to address leading health complications for Territorians, including diabetes, cardiovascular and kidney disease.  

It will also see investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce capacity, through the establishment of two identified research positions based at Menzies.  

In partnership with government, community-controlled and private health services across the NT, Menzies has built a clinical information system that integrates and synthesises health data from previously siloed medical records. The groundbreaking system, known as  is already used by more than 1500 clinicians to support patients in the NT.  

This new collaboration will enable Menzies to strengthen TKC鈥檚 capabilities, providing technology-enabled models of care that enhance co-ordination of healthcare. This will be particularly valuable for people living with multiple chronic conditions, where a more integrated approach will support better health outcomes.  

芒果直播鈥檚 Group CEO Justine Cain said the investment reflected a deep commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to delivering local, culturally safe services.  

鈥淜idney health is key to ongoing diabetes care and is a key indicator of health and complication outcomes. Diabetes shouldn鈥檛 cost your kidneys.鈥� Ms Cain said.  

鈥淚t is completely unacceptable that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities continue to be disproportionally impacted by diabetes. 芒果直播 is committed to real change that will support healthier futures.  

鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to partner with Lilly Australia and Menzies School of Health Research to directly support communities where kidney, diabetes and heart healthcare is greatly needed.鈥� 

Manny Simons, General Manager of Eli Lilly (Lilly) Australia said, 鈥淣o one organisation can solve the complex challenges of diabetes, kidney and cardiovascular disease.鈥� 

鈥淎t Lilly, we are committed to supporting initiatives that address health inequities and improve access to more connected, coordinated care. This investment reflects our belief that locally led, evidence-based solutions can improve health outcomes and inform future models of care across Australia.鈥� 

Menzies School of Health Research鈥檚 Director, Professor Alan Cass said, 鈥渢oo many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory are impacted by diabetes, kidney and heart disease.鈥� 

鈥淭KC has brought together research, health service, government and community partners to develop a clinical decision support and data sharing platform to provide the best care to people with complex chronic disease. Together we are working to Close the Gap and reduce the ever-increasing number of people needing dialysis across remote Australia,鈥� he said. 

Lilly Australia will contribute $430,000 and 芒果直播 will contribute $250,000 to this partnership.

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with diabetes across the Northern Territory will be supported to protect their sight through a new partnership between 芒果直播 and Deadly Vision Centre.鈥� 

The partnership brings together 芒果直播鈥檚 commitment to reducing the impact of diabetes with Deadly Vision Centre鈥檚 Aboriginal-led model of culturally safe eye care. 

Together, the organisations will support more people living with diabetes to access regular eye checks, glasses, diabetic eye screening, health鈥痚ducation鈥痑nd鈥痶imely鈥痳eferral for specialist treatment when needed. 

The partnership will also invest in Aboriginal Health Practitioners, recognising the鈥痠mportant role鈥痶hey play in helping people understand diabetes-related eye disease, access care earlier and stay connected to follow-up. 

Diabetes-related eye disease can develop without symptoms and, if left untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss. Regular eye checks are one of the best ways to detect changes early and prevent avoidable blindness. 

芒果直播 Group CEO Justine Cain said the investment鈥痳eflected鈥痶he organisation鈥檚鈥痗ommitment to鈥痺orking alongside鈥疉boriginal-led鈥痵ervices.鈥� 

“Diabetes shouldn’t cost your vision, and where you live shouldn’t determine your health outcomes,” Ms Cain said.鈥� 

“It’s just not acceptable that something as simple as an eye check鈥痮r glasses鈥痠s out of reach for many in the Territory,鈥痚specially for people living with diabetes.鈥� 

“Deadly Vision鈥痠s an Aboriginal-led鈥痵ervice鈥痺ith鈥痵trong鈥痗ommunity connections, and a proven approach to preventative鈥痑nd culturally鈥痵afe鈥痗are.鈥� 

鈥淲e鈥檙e鈥痯roud to鈥痺ork alongside Deadly Vision鈥痶o support more people to access the care they need鈥痶o protect their sight,鈥� Ms Cain said. 

Deadly Vision Centre Director Shaun鈥疶atipata鈥痵aid the partnership was about backing community-led solutions. 

鈥淔or us, this partnership is about more than delivering eye checks.鈥疘t鈥檚鈥痑bout investing in our Aboriginal Health Practitioners, strengthening local鈥痗apability鈥痑nd making sure Mob can access culturally safe eye care earlier,鈥� Mr鈥疶atipata鈥痵aid.鈥� 

鈥淥ur communities know what works. When care is led by Aboriginal people, built on鈥痶rust鈥痑nd connected to community, people are more likely to engage, come back for follow-up and get the treatment they need before vision is lost. 

鈥淣o one should lose their sight from diabetes when it can often be prevented. This partnership will help more Mob protect their vision, stay connected to family and community, and keep seeing the moments that matter.鈥� 

Since opening,鈥疍eadly Vision has already supported more than 5,000鈥疶erritorians鈥痺ith eye care,鈥痠ncluding more than 1,000 children,鈥痯rovided more than 1,000 pairs of glasses, and鈥痠dentified鈥�350 people in need of specialist surgical care.鈥�