Townsville teen’s life-changing gift as Rotary buys insulin pumps for local kids

For 17-year-old Sienna Kirby, the donation of an insulin pump to help manage the Type 1 diabetes she’s lived with for more than a decade of her young life is ‘life-changing’.

“I’ve had diabetes for 12 years, so for someone who’s had it for such a long time receiving such a big donation is very life-changing especially as I’m going into the adult world,” she said.

“There are so many things happening, and it’s great to have such an expensive device provided to us.”

The donation is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Townsville Community Foundation and the Wheeler Family Charitable Endowment Trust, each of which donated $25,000 to buy seven insulin pumps for local children and teenagers.

Tech company Medtronics donated three additional pumps to the cause bringing the total to 10.

Rotary Club of Townsville President Liam Hirst said the donation would help improve the quality of life of young north Queenslanders living with Type 1 diabetes and their families.

“Insulin pumps deliver a measured dose of the life-saving hormone far more efficiently than the traditional injecting method, freeing kids up to be kids,” he said.

“We bought two pumps to support a previous campaign led by the Port of Townsville Rotary and now we’re proud to link with Graham and Desley Wheeler, and their Trust, on a 50-50 basis to help kids in our community.”

Townsville University Hospital paediatric endocrinologist and co-chair of the Queensland Diabetes Clinical Network Dr Jason Yates welcomed the generous donation.

“Insulin pump technology has advanced significantly over the past few years, resulting in a marked improvement in the quality of life for patients,” he said.

“The pumps can be expensive, up to $10,000 each, so the Rotary and Wheeler Trust donation is not only incredibly generous but life-changing for my young patients, particularly for those who don’t meet the means-test criteria."

Chairman of the Wheeler Family Charitable Endowment Trust Graham Wheeler, also a long- time member of the Rotary Club of Townsville, said he was delighted to have played a part in improving the lives of children living with diabetes.

“Dr Yates and his team are making a real difference; we were happy to join with Rotary to offer our moral and financial support,” he said.

Sienna said she was wanted to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Rotary and the Wheeler Trust.

“I honestly couldn’t thank them enough; I think they’re amazing,” she said.

“The effort they’ve gone to in order to give all of us such a big opportunity to improve our lives is incredible.”

Medtronics manager Sophie Gard said the company had ‘no hesitation’ in donating the extra pumps.

“We’re very proud to be able to partner with Rotary and the Wheeler Family Charitable Endowment Trust to help change the lives of local children and families for the better,” she said.

Five children and teenagers have been fitted with their new insulin pumps with another five to be fitted over the coming weeks.