100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Young diabetic calls for federal funding for research network

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Fast-food outlet undergoing $1.9m renovation

A McDonald’s restaurant beside a busy main road is being upgraded, to enhance the customer experience and improve operational efficiencies. McDonald’s on Nicklin Way, Minyama, More

Hinterland over-50s village wins council nod

A well-known development company has been given approval to build a new retirement village on rural land. Stockland Halcyon has been granted a material change More

Pipeline runs dry: Coast facing office space crunch

Office space on the Sunshine Coast continues to be in short supply, according to latest figures. The vacancy rate for the Sunshine Coast market dropped More

Photo of the day: masts and nets

"A serene representation of our beautiful Mooloolah River as the sun retires for the day More nature providing gentle hues for a stunning silhouette," More

Pump track construction ramps up

A new pump track is being built at a park in the heart of the Sunshine Coast and should be ready within months. Sunshine Coast More

Man suffers serious injuries in mountain fall

A man with potentially life-threatening injuries has been airlifted to hospital after a fall at the Glass House Mountains. The Sunshine Coast-based LifeFlight aeromedical crew More

A teenager will fly to Canberra this week to push for funding for research that could benefit people with type 1 diabetes or those yet to be diagnosed with it.

Freya Goldston, 15, of Buderim, will meet with Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien and hopes to speak to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about extending funding for type 1 diabetes research.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Clinical Research Network is the main vehicle for type 1 diabetes research in Australia.

Freya will represent the Fairfax electorate at the JDRF’s Kids in the House on November 26, reminding politicians that people need for a cure for type 1 diabetes, which she has had since a baby.

She said research held the key for people with type 1 diabetes and there was no stopping until one was found.

It will be the second Kids in the House for Freya, who went to Canberra in 2018 as part of the campaign for funding.

She has grown into a vocal advocate for type 1 diabetics, and research into a cure and improved treatments for the condition.

“I’ve grown up with diabetes. It’s really interesting to see how hard it can be for some people to get what they need,” she said.

“I know I come from a place of privilege. I have a loving and supportive family and I’ve got the support I need. Not everyone has that.

“I really want to help people who have diabetes that don’t have that great support network.”

The JDRF is currently seeking another $50m in federal funding for the continuation of the CRN’s research.

Freya Goldson and Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien.

Freya’s mother, Jackie Goldston said she hoped that type 1 diabetes could be prevented and that those with it could be cured.

She said Freya had already benefited from research and advances in treatment, having gone from needing 10 insulin injections a day to wearing a pump which automatically provides her body with the right amount of insulin according to what she has eaten.

She said the family had never made “a big deal” about Freya’s diabetes but was supportive of her advocacy for all type 1 diabetics.

“She’s confident and adept and talented. She needs to use all that to make a difference,” Mrs Goldston said.

Freya, a Sunshine Coast Grammar School student and competitive swimmer, said her brother, Declan, 18, had played a role in her becoming an advocate for type 1 diabetes research.

“My older brother helps me with stuff like that. That helps motivate and inspire me,” she said.

She said research was the key to people with type 1 diabetes leading a better life.

“Type one diabetes is complex to manage and leads to a life controlled, by numbers, tests and the constant threat of serious complications,” she said

“Yet we know that research is the key to improving lives for people with type 1 diabetes and the funding of the CRN is critical to achieving the goal on finding a cure.”

Like stories about Sunshine Coast people doing great things? Help us deliver more by registering for our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your email at the bottom of this article.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share