Dr. Paidamoyo Katsande joins us from the UK by way of Zimbabwe. Since Paida was a small girl she had dreams of helping Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is her heart. Dr. Paidamoyo is a research scientist and dedicated a great part of her career in T1D research for a cure to help those impacted at home.

Growing up in Zimbabwe, she moved to the UK at eight years old, carrying with her a childhood dream of becoming a doctor. She wanted to contribute to improving people’s quality of life.

Coming from a community with limited healthcare resources, Paidamoyo saw how reduced access to diagnostics and education could leave people undiagnosed or struggling to manage their conditions. Those observations sparked a lifelong desire to raise awareness and pursue science that makes a tangible difference.

Paida has PhD in molecular biology and Immunology. While I’m not a medical doctor, her work focuses on the science that can lead to groundbreaking treatments for type 1 diabetes and prostate cancer.

Beyond the lab: A researcher’s journey to tackling type 1 diabetes | Breakthrough T1D UK

Follow Dr. Katsande on instagram @dr.paidayourfavscientist

On this episode, we hear from Ricky. He hails from Brooklyn, New York, and was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes in 1992 at the age of 3 and spent the next year in a coma while hospitalized. Ricky spent his 4th birthday in the hospital.

Early on, he would hear medical professionals say things, such as that he wouldn't make it. Ricky struggled a lot as a kid with mean adults

Ricky has become a prominent figure in the diabetic

community. He is not only a survivor but also an advocate, martial artist, and father, using his experiences to inspire others.

Ricky has endured many complications with diabetes, including losing full vision at one point, but even that couldn't stop him!

Get to know Ricky t1dknight

In this episode we get to meet Cam @cam_simply and engage in a heartfelt conversation, where we discuss the importance of community and representation within the diabetes online community (DOC), particularly for people of color. Cam shares his personal journey with type 1 diabetes, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he has faced since his diagnosis at age nine. The conversation touches on themes of advocacy, the evolution of diabetes management, and the significance of finding a supportive community. Cam and Will reflect on their shared experiences and the impact of their work in fostering a more inclusive and informed space for those living with diabetes.