Thriveabetes Conference & Community

05/06/2026

Minimed Medtronic’s next webinar topic is

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️Managing glucose during competitive sports. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

June 08 at 13:30

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1588494253277964&id=100063522133855

Join us for our next tips & tricks webinar on the 8th June: Register - https://bit.ly/4eprRpJ

We will discuss:

💪The impact of competitive, intense and / or extended duration exercise on blood glucose

🏃‍♀️How SmartGuard feature adapts to exercise

🧐Case studies and experiences

🏋️‍♀️Exercise protocol

20/05/2026

We’re taking a short summer break ☀️

The Thriveabetes office will be closed from 20 May until 8 June. We’ll respond to emails and messages as soon as possible when we return.

Thank you for your patience, and we hope you get a little time to rest and recharge too.

19/05/2026

70 years with Type 1. 125 miles for Lyla. 💙

This June, Pete Davies is marking his 70th year of living with type 1 diabetes by taking on a powerful fundraising challenge: hiking 125 miles around the edge of the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, from Harlech to Caernarfon, beginning Monday, June 08

Pete was our keynote speaker at Thriveabetes 2026, where he shared his remarkable story of almost 70 years living with T1D: a story full of resilience, honesty, humour and hope.

But this walk is not about Pete’s milestone alone.

Pete is walking in memory of Lyla Story, a beautiful little girl who tragically lost her life at just two years old in 2025 due to undiagnosed type 1 diabetes.

Pete was diagnosed at almost the same age as Lyla. He has lived a full and rich life — something Lyla was so cruelly denied.

Lyla’s family and the wider T1D community are determined that her story will never be forgotten. Her legacy is helping to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes, push for earlier and safer diagnosis, and prevent another family from experiencing such devastating loss.

Pete’s challenge will raise funds for Breakthrough T1D UK , supporting world-class research into type 1 diabetes.

Please support Pete by Donating, Sharing this post, Or by Joining Pete in Wales in June 💙

Connect with Pete on
Facebook or on Instagram

Donate here:
- https://www.justgiving.com/page/peter-davies-7
- Or through the link in our bio called DONATE to Pete Davies 70 years with Type 1 for Lyla

Please share this post.

19/05/2026

For anyone who’s school would like more training in supporting their students with diabetes.

This session of for members of the Cork & Clare Education Centres but Aisling will be covering more centres during the year.

💙 Diabetes in Schools Awareness Course for School Staff 💙

Once again delighted to present with to a very engaged group of school staff. Thank you all so much for giving up your time to learn about diabetes and support the students in your care ❤️

Upcoming courses:
• September 14th and 21st at 7pm.
• September 28th and October 5th at 7pm

If you missed this training and find out that you have a student with diabetes next year, don't panic. You've got this 💪 Communication is key. Chat with the family to create a plan and support is always here if needed.

19/05/2026

70 years with Type 1. 125 miles for Lyla. 💙

This June, Pete Davies is marking his 70th year of living with type 1 diabetes by taking on a powerful fundraising challenge: hiking 125 miles around the edge of the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, from Harlech to Caernarfon, beginning Monday, June 08

Pete was our keynote speaker at Thriveabetes 2026, where he shared his remarkable story of almost 70 years living with T1D: a story full of resilience, honesty, humour and hope.

But this walk is not about Pete’s milestone alone.

Pete is walking in memory of Lyla Story, a beautiful little girl who tragically lost her life at just two years old in 2025 due to undiagnosed type 1 diabetes.

Pete was diagnosed at almost the same age as Lyla. He has lived a full and rich life — something Lyla was so cruelly denied.

Lyla’s family and the wider T1D community are determined that her story will never be forgotten. Her legacy is helping to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes, push for earlier and safer diagnosis, and prevent another family from experiencing such devastating loss.

Pete’s challenge will raise funds for Breakthrough T1D UK , supporting world-class research into type 1 diabetes.

Please support Pete by Donating, Sharing this post, Or by Joining Pete in Wales in June 💙

Connect with Pete on
Facebook or on Instagram

Donate here:
- https://www.justgiving.com/page/peter-davies-7
- Or through the link in our bio called DONATE to Pete Davies 70 years with Type 1 for Lyla

Please share this post.

17/05/2026

Diabetes Stories: Meet John
From Cork, Ireland
Diagnosed age 15
Diagnosed in 1998
Profession: Politician

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John’s Story:

I was 15 and became very sick, like a train had hit me and was rushed to hospital.

I was tested for everything other than diabetes, until one day, a trainee nurse called Susan (I’ll never forget) suggested testing my sugar levels - my first introduction to “HI” on the glucomonitor.

I knew it wasn’t a nice “HI” and it was then a week of getting used to insulin, needles, keeping diaries, weighing food & the other new reality of “lows”

At the time, I was a scout and a sports competition was in 7 days' time so I got my head down & was discharged the day before the competition and off I went and navigated my first weekend of life with diabetes.

Life with diabetes is a rollercoaster and I got a better understanding of the randomness of the condition with age - I got my first hypo at 36 on a first romantic weekend away with an ex partner, it definitely wasn’t romantic for either

I got my first CGM at 36 and the benefits are amazing and currently considering a pump. I guess my advice would be - don’t beat yourself up - it’s an unpredictable condition despite best effort’s

My current role as an elected Cork City Councillor allows me a platform to fight for better for diabetics & share my lived experiences and the benefits that improvements can have for a person living with diabetes. The job continues to ensure CGM’s for all, implementation of the National Diabetes Strategy, get Gestational diabetes on the LTI.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for sharing, John!

You can find John on Instagram at

16/05/2026

Travelling with Diabetes & Airport Anxiety?
I’ve been traveling regularly by air for over 25 years, and I still get nervous about airport security.

Let’s make it a little less ‘😬’ and a bit more ‘👌’
Here are some of the tips I use to make airports smoother.

Step 1. Check your device
- Visit your diabetes devices manufacturer website for their recommendations with Airport Security Machines
- Remember that some devices are not recommended only because they have NOT been tested

The chart in the slide from NHS Scotland is really helpful
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/media/3534/mdmw-airport-tech-chart.png

Step 2. Know the Machines
There are 3 types of security checks:
🧳 X-ray (for your carry-on bags)
🚶 Metal detector
🧍Full body “Strike a pose” scanner

Step 3. Choose what works for YOU
For Hand luggage X-ray you can choose to:
- Let your devices go through
Or
- Ask for hand check


For Medal detector:
- All devices have been tested and approved. Walk through normally.
- Metal devices may cause it to beep and you to require a pat down.

For Full Body scanners either:
- Walk through normally even though they have NOT been tested with the effects of this machine.
Or
- Inform agent that your device cannot go into the scanner and request a pat-down.
- Repeat if necessary or add, “I understand what you are saying, but I would still like to request a pat-down”,
- If the Security Agent still doesn’t “hear” you, request to speak to a supervisor.
- Always stay calm

Airport security with diabetes can feel like a lot 😬
But with a little prep and knowing your options, it gets a whole lot easier 👌

Save this for your next trip 💙

Find lots more Travelling with Diabetes Tips at https://thriveabetes.ie/travelling-with-diabetes
Or the 🔗 in our bio

16/05/2026

Travelling with Diabetes & Airport Anxiety?
I’ve been traveling regularly by air for over 25 years, and I still get nervous about airport security.

Let’s make it a little less ‘😬’ and a bit more ‘👌’
Here are some of the tips I use to make airports smoother.

Find lots more Travelling with Diabetes Tips at https://thriveabetes.ie/travelling-with-diabetes
Or the 🔗 in our bio