The type 1 diabetes community is coming together to celebrate World Diabetes Day and mark the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of insulin.

A live virtual event is being held on Thursday, November 12 to mark the occasion and to encourage people to share their stories within a safe space.

The JDRF online event will be hosted by Sky News presented Stephen Dixon, who has type 1 diabetes himself.

John Macleod and Frederick Banting, who discovered insulin a century ago, will also be celebrated, in addition to all the research that has been carried out since their pioneering discovery.

JDRF’s Karen Addington said that although managing type 1 diabetes has come a long way, there is still more work to be done.

The UK Chief Executive said: “Because of COVID-19, the type 1 community has been denied the chance to get together in person this World Diabetes Day. But we are determined to celebrate – and build upon – the exciting momentum that our mission has gathered these past few years.

“Earlier this year our researchers launched the world’s first downloadable artificial pancreas app, enabling people with type 1 diabetes to manage their blood glucose levels automatically via their phones.

“And, looking to the future, we are excited about the potential that our immunotherapy research has to lead us to a type 1 diabetes cure.”

Get our free newsletters

Stay up to date with the latest news, research and breakthroughs.