Winner of Aster Guardians Global Nursing Awards 2023 – Nurse Margaret Shepherd from the UK donates to a fund for free genetic testing for neonatal diabetes from the 2 CR INR prize. This donation is part of efforts to mark World Diabetes Day 2024, which highlights the need for increased awareness and access to testing for diabetes. In the past year, nearly 100 children from 26 countries received free genetic testing, identifying mutations in 63% of cases. This initiative also emphasizes the importance of   World Diabetes Day in raising awareness about the different forms of diabetes and the role genetic testing can play in early diagnosis and treatment.

As part of the World Diabetes Day celebrations, Margaret Shepherd’s efforts are also making a significant impact in India. World Diabetes Day posters and themes this year stress the global urgency of diabetes awareness and testing, with nearly 9 referrals coming from India alone. This emphasizes the need for improved access to genetic testing for neonatal diabetes in regions where it is often inaccessible. With World Diabetes Day 2024, the focus is on improving healthcare equity and ensuring that more children, particularly in underserved regions, can receive a diagnosis and the right treatment, such as switching from insulin injections to tablets.

Reflecting on World Diabetes Day Margaret Shepherd shared how the World Diabetes Day themes motivated her to act, leading to the donation of her 2023 Aster Guardians prize. She has expanded awareness through a podcast series on genetic diabetes, making critical research available to a global audience. World Diabetes Day serves as a reminder of how vital it is to connect with communities worldwide and share knowledge that can save lives, as highlighted in the podcast and her research collaborations.

Through the World Diabetes Day 2024 initiative, families globally are encouraged to apply for free neonatal diabetes testing, which can be accessed through DiabetesGenes.org. This program aims to make genetic testing accessible to those who cannot afford it, shining a light on the broader need for support on World Diabetes Day. Margaret Shepherd’s work serves as a beacon of hope for families facing barriers to healthcare, making World Diabetes Day posters and other materials a reminder of the impact of access to accurate diagnoses.