SNV Foundation has joined hands with Tamil Nadu Type 1 Diabetes Foundation to support families and children diagnosed with chronic auto-immune condition called Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).

T1D also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes is a chronic auto-immune condition in which insulin-producing beta cells are mistakenly destroyed by the body's own immune system. T1D occurs primarily in children and young adults (0-20yrs). This requires the child (T1) to administer insulin (4-6 injections/day) and mandatorily monitor their blood sugar at least 4 times a day to maintain good blood glucose levels and avoid long term complications.

There is no known cure for T1D. Administering insulin regularly and having holistic knowledge on its management is foundational in safeguarding the future of every child being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Currently there are over 250,000 children in India living with T1D. Due to socio-economic reasons many are unable to access this life saving drug. The T1D index 2022, identifies that for every 100 people diagnosed with T1D in India, 45 children/people are not alive today.

The Tamil Nadu Type 1 Diabetes Foundation since its inception in 2018 has been striving to support families of children with T1D towards better self-management by imparting knowledge and building capacity. Through various outreach efforts in various districts (counties) in the State of Tamil Nadu, India, we are able to establish that access to life saving medicine for the less privileged is an immediate challenge to be addressed.

Today we are supporting over 500 children with knowledge and understanding of self- management of their T1D condition; and financially over 200 children with procuring required medicines and supplies.

On an average a child would need about $125 (USD) per month for medicines, test strips, CGM sensors, and lab tests. Through hundreds of volunteers, thousands of volunteering hours, and numerous fund-raising events such as renounced Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2023 &2024, we were been able to successfully raise funds to address immediate needs for the identified children. There are a lot of children who are still in need of financial assistance to procure required medicines and supplies.

Many families have shown considerable improvements in their management of T1D and been able to evade and overcome life threatening complications. This provides us the hope that we will be able to transform the lives of many T1s with lifesaving medicines, T1 education and awareness. We are also working with federal, state and local govt authorities and medical facilities to bring better policies and empower these children towards a happy and healthy life.