The global diabetes community is mourning the loss of Bastian Hauck, a respected diabetes advocate, community builder and long-standing volunteer with the International Diabetes Federation.
Bastian was best known as the founder of #dedoc, a global community created to bring people living with diabetes into the heart of diabetes conversations, conferences, research and policy discussions.
Through #dedoc, he helped open doors for people with lived experience of diabetes to take part in professional and scientific spaces that had too often spoken about diabetes without including the people living with it.
His work was closely associated with the principles of “Nothing about us without us” and “pay it forward”, both of which reflected his belief that people with diabetes should not only be represented, but actively involved in shaping the future of diabetes care.
Bastian’s contribution to diabetes advocacy spanned more than a decade. In 2016, he received the IDF Europe Social Media Award in recognition of his ability to connect people, amplify lived experience and encourage meaningful discussion across the diabetes community.
He later served two terms on the IDF Europe Board, where he was recognised not only for his strategic input and commitment, but also for the warmth and positivity he brought to his work.
One of Bastian’s major achievements was the development of a global scholarship programme that enabled hundreds of diabetes advocates to attend major scientific events, including the IDF World Diabetes Congress. This helped ensure that the voices of people living with diabetes were present in discussions that influence care, research and policy.
Bastian was also an IDF Blue Circle Voice and a strong supporter of World Diabetes Day, using the campaign to help unite people across the international diabetes community and strengthen advocacy and awareness.
His work helped change how lived experience is recognised in diabetes. He encouraged people to contribute in their own language, through their own platforms and within their own cultural contexts, making diabetes advocacy more inclusive and more representative.
Tributes from across the diabetes community have described Bastian as someone who understood the importance of connection, inclusion and community. He helped people feel heard, valued and supported, and his work inspired a generation of diabetes advocates.
The International Diabetes Federation has extended its condolences to Bastian’s family, friends, colleagues and the #dedoc community.
His legacy will continue through the many people and communities he helped bring together.
