Winner
Daniel Newman
Summary
Daniel has been living with type 1 diabetes for nearly 28 years. In his own words, Daniel has had a mixed experience living with the condition experiencing diabetes distress and diabetes burnout in his late teens into his early twenties. Daniel is also living with complications of the condition. Daniel lives with Diabetic Retinopathy, in 2013 he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and in 2018 he received a kidney transplant. Daniel openly shares his experience of living with type 1 diabetes to provide help and support to others ensuring that they do not feel alone when living with the condition. Daniel understands the harsh realities of living with type 1 diabetes through his lived experience.
Why does Daniel deserve this award?
Daniel exemplifies extraordinary dedication and passion in the field of diabetes advocacy, making significant contributions to improving the lives of those living with diabetes. Through his various impactful initiatives, Daniel has demonstrated unwavering commitment to education, support, and policy influence. During 2023, Daniel has undertaken the following in order to help raise awareness of diabetes:
Parliamentary Event Speaker: Daniel was invited by Abbott to speak at their parliamentary event at The Houses of Parliament, where he was the sole patient speaker. This event celebrated the achievements in glucose monitoring technology and discussed future opportunities for transforming type 2 diabetes care. Daniel’s presence as the only patient speaker highlights his respected voice and the trust placed in him to represent the patient community effectively.
Ending Diabetes Stigma Campaign: Daniel has actively supported Abbott’s campaign to end diabetes stigma. By sharing his personal experience, Daniel has helped to break down misconceptions and promote a more inclusive understanding of diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy Awareness: Daniel was a member of the Diabetic Retinopathy Advisory Board for Boehringer Ingelheim. In this role, Daniel helped to raise awareness of living with diabetic retinopathy and also shared his experience of living with the condition including some of his treatment pathway. Daniel also speaks about his experience of living with complications of type 1 diabetes in his advocacy as a way to support others in the process. Daniel spoke at the Roche Ophthalmology Department Community Day. Daniel shared his experience of living with diabetic retinopathy including having laser treatment and vitrectomy surgery to help industry professionals gain a deeper understanding of the daily challenges faced by people living with diabetic retinopathy and to help make better-informed decision-making. Daniel’s decision to film a project with Boehringer Ingelheim and speak at Roche’s event further underscores his commitment to educating others about the realities and challenges faced by those with diabetic retinopathy.
Tackling Health Inequalities: Daniel is passionate about health inequalities, particularly for those living with diabetes. In 2023, Daniel was a member of the Diabetes UK Tackling Health Inequalities committee and a named contributor to the Tackling Inequality Commission Report, the report has and will play a vital role in addressing health inequalities for those living with diabetes. Daniel was also a patient speaker at the Inaugural Diabetes Africa Overcoming Inequalities event held in 2023. Daniel shared his experiences and insights to inspire and educate others about the importance of equity in healthcare from the perspective of a person living with type 1 diabetes. In 2023, Daniel spoke at The Patients as Partners EU event on a panel that discussed the issue of Identifying Actions to Increase Diversity in Clinical Research by Understanding the Reality of Underrepresented Communities.
National Diabetes Survey: In 2023 and continuing into 2024, Daniel contributed to the first-ever NHS England national diabetes survey as a member of the National Diabetes Survey Advisory Group. This survey was distributed to approximately 100,000 people living with diabetes. Daniel’s support for this work demonstrates his passion for wanting to address the needs of the diabetes community on a national scale.
Kidney Disease and Diabetes Research: In 2023, Daniel was a lived experience representative of the kidney disease and diabetes research working group with Diabetes UK, Kidney Research UK and JDRF. Daniel worked as a lived experience partner to shape a workshop focused on setting research priorities. Although Daniel was not able to be present at the session in 2024, Daniel’s insights were invaluable in ensuring that the research addresses the most pressing issues faced by those living with diabetes and kidney disease.
In addition to the above, Daniel is the host of The Talking Type 1 Podcast where he speaks to people all over the world living with diabetes. Over the years, Daniel has released episodes covering living with diabetes and mental health conditions including Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and living with diabetes and fertility speaking with Anita Beckwith. The impact this had on the community was creating a safe space for discussions about topics impacting the daily lives of people living with diabetes. Daniel shares his experiences of living with type 1 diabetes and complications on social media, mainly Instagram. Daniel helps to support people living with diabetes all over the world. Daniel also shares his running journey aiming to inspire those living with diabetes to engage with movement. In 2023, Daniel completed two 10k races and a half marathon.
Daniel’s extensive involvement in advocacy, education, and policy work demonstrates his exceptional commitment to the diabetes community. Daniel’s efforts have not only raised awareness but also driven meaningful change, making him a truly deserving candidate for this award.
