The last 2 years they have raised close to $80,000 to fund 9 Medtronic Diabetes pumps that have revolutionised management of this disease in children.

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The Rotary Club of Townsville Central love to share their passion for their "Insulin Pumps for Kids" project. It was initiated by IPP Enzo Craperi 2020-2021, and inspired by his 4 year old daughter being diagnosed with diabetes.

 The club has purchased the newest, state of the art insulin pumps for children seeking treatment at the Paediatric Endocrinology Unit at the Townsville University Hospital. Dr Jason Yates, Paediatric Endocrinologist, stated that, "This new pump technology talks to the continuous glucose monitor and can adapt on the go, improving quality of life and enabling the child to do normal activities, and this revolutionises treatment. And it is all thanks to the Rotary Club of Townsville Central, who contacted them and said they wanted to partner with the Unit on something to support children with Diabetes Type 1. The club initially supplied three pumps but have provided another six since then."

President Brendan Marty explains that Nine children living with diabetes have had their lives transformed thanks to the donation of Medtronic insulin pumps – valued at more than $8,500 each – thanks to Rotary Club of Townsville Central and the Diabetes Centre at Townsville University Hospital.

PDG Brendon Porter states that they intend purchasing another three soon, which will take the project to over $100000 in one year. A brilliant effort.

When little McKayla Bleisner was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 4 years old, her parents knew the life that lay ahead of her. Her father had been diagnosed years ago at age 25 and the family was heartbroken to see their daughter diagnosed at such a young age.

McKayla Bliesner was only four when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, spending weeks, and marking her fifth birthday, in Townsville University Hospital.

McKayla’s mum Renee Bliesner said before the donation of the insulin pump, the family had turned their lives upside down to try and manage McKayla’s diabetes.

“It was a really heartbreaking and challenging time for us and McKayla. She had just turned five, had been diagnosed with a lifelong condition and was also starting school,” Renee said.

“It became a real family effort to manage her diagnosis – my partner, McKayla’s grandparents and I were on a rotating roster to visit the school to administer insulin at every meal break.

“When we got the news that McKayla would be one of the recipients I just started crying, the gravity of what was happening hit me and it was so overwhelming and life changing."

Enzo Craperi, former president of the Rotary Club of Townsville Central, said the fundraiser was inspired by his own experiences with childhood diabetes, as his eldest daughter was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of four.

"I vividly remember the challenges that we encountered as a family going through this at the time, so when I became president of the Townsville Central Rotary Club I really wanted to do something to help people, particularly children, who have diabetes," Enzo said.

“We’re a small club and this project has been the largest one we’ve taken on and we’re so thankful for the support for Medtronic, whose generosity has allowed us to fund the purchase of nine of these insulin pumps, as well as to the other Rotary clubs in Townsville and the donors to our GoFundMe campaign.”

Townsville Hospital and Health Service medical director health and wellbeing service group and paediatric endocrinologist Dr Jason Yates said the insulin pumps would make a huge difference to the lives of those diagnosed with diabetes.

"They are easy to use and they improve control for the patient which leads to much better health outcomes and less complications in the long-term," Jason said.

“That’s why Rotary’s efforts to fundraise and purchase these insulin pumps have been so invaluable for families staring down a diabetes diagnosis.

“I’m really grateful for the way they have jumped on board with this initiative.”

This technology has already helped little McKayla Bleisner and eight others like her, and will soon help other children and families in North Queensland.

The new technology allows children to eat, play, swim and dance to their heart's content by utilising technology that adapts their Insulin every five minutes.