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The Happy Pod: Diabetes awareness month special

Stories of innovation and advocacy for Diabetes Awareness Month, including a children's book about the condition. It is designed to help them understand it, and not feel alone.

In this special episode we're marking Diabetes Awareness Month with a range of stories about innovation, advocacy and education, including a book helping children newly diagnosed with type-1 diabetes. It began as a university project for Lea Leleta Sumer, who is from Bosnia-Herzegovina and has lived with the condition since she was two years old. She wanted to help children like her come to terms with their condition, as well as educate others.

Also, the Barbie doll with type-1 diabetes, a collaboration from Mattel and the international diabetes charity, Breakthrough T1D. We meet the women who inspired the doll.

We speak to Sally TM, of RuPaul's Drag Race UK fame, who was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes around the age of 10. Sally uses her art and platform to advocate for people living with the condition.

Plus, the teacher who has broken the world record for the fastest marathon by a male with type-1 diabetes. And we find out how recent advances in technology have made the daily management of the condition easier and safer, and consider what's to come.

Presenters: Harry Bligh and Alex Ritson
Music: Sarah Warren

(Photo: Lea Leleta S眉mer reading her children鈥檚 book Lea and her Diabetes. Credit: Lea Leleta S眉mer)

Available now

27 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Sat 29 Nov 2025 19:32GMT
  • Sun 30 Nov 2025 01:32GMT
  • Sun 30 Nov 2025 04:32GMT
  • Sun 30 Nov 2025 14:32GMT
  • Fri 5 Dec 2025 00:32GMT