World Diabetes Day Marks 3 Inspirational Kiwis Joining Dexcom Warriors Advocacy Movement To New Zealand In 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – 10 November 2022: In time for World Diabetes Day and as part of Diabetes Action Month, Dexcom Inc. (Nasdaq: DXCM), a global leader in real-time continuous glucose monitoring for people with diabetes, and its New Zealand subsidiary New Zealand Medical and Scientific Ltd (NZMS) Diabetes today announced the arrival of the global Dexcom Warrior program in New Zealand in early 2023.

Dexcom Warriors is a global advocacy movement that aims to raise local awareness and understanding about living with diabetes. With support from locally based diabetes advocates, the program works to improve the availability of diabetes support, education and life-changing CGM technology for everyone with diabetes.

Ministry of Health figures show there are over 250,000 Kiwis with diabetes.[1]  In NZ 18,126 people are living with T1 diabetes.²

Kirstin Brown, Country Manager NZMS says, “The Dexcom Warrior program has amassed a large global following of people who are passionate about living – and thriving – with diabetes. It provides exciting opportunities for local Dexcom CGM users to join this powerful global community and participate in the #WARRIORUP conversation, encouraging people to share their life stories to empower, inform and inspire each other in their diabetes journey.

“Dexcom Warriors can be involved in all types of exciting activities to help each other as they navigate life with diabetes.”

Diabetes New Zealand CEO Heather Verry says that support for people living with diabetes is crucial for their self-management.

“We know that the circle of care around someone has a direct impact on how they manage their condition… Without a strong support network in place, that can be a heavy burden to bear,” she says.

“We are proud to partner with Dexcom this Diabetes Action Month, to support more New Zealanders with diabetes to live well.”

Dexcom Warrior – Tayla Clement, Social Media Influencer and model – The Girl Who Can’t Smile  

“I feel my main purpose in life is to be a face and voice for people who feel like they don’t have one or who feel like they aren’t represented. Growing up I had no one to represent me and to now be in that position for my younger self and for other people, I’m full of gratitude to be able to do that.

“The fact that those in the diabetes community feel they can’t share their life with diabetes or bring diabetes into their daily conversation with more confidence, makes me sad and shows work needs to be done as a community. That’s why I’m excited to be a part of 2023 global Dexcom Warriors program in NZ to bring more education and open talk around diabetes management. I’m not brave for talking about or showing my day-to-day life with diabetes, it is just a part of my amazing life.”

Dexcom Warrior – Toby Good, 16-year-old based in Tauranga, CGM access petition organiser No More Fear

“As a Kiwi teenager I feel it’s important to share my story. I’m lucky enough to come from a family that can afford diabetes technology to help me manage my glucose levels. And being a Dexcom Warrior will be awesome; it means I can spread the message about diabetes care and support in my community and even wider.

When I was first diagnosed as a Type 1, I was scared, like the rest of my family, but four years down the line I feel resilient and confident playing sports and living life like any other 16-year-old.”

Dexcom Warrior – Jack Kofoed, Pilot, Jack Kofoed

“The most rewarding part of sharing my journey as a Kiwi Dexcom Warrior will be raising awareness across the country that diabetes doesn’t need to stand in the way of anybody’s dreams anymore.

It’s been special getting messages and calls from the diabetes community who have somehow heard of my story, and then from it gone on to chase their life goals.”

The Dexcom Warrior global community involves more than 20,000 members including celebrities, influencers and people in their own local communities who are all doing great work to raise awareness about the reality of living with diabetes.

The Dexcom Warriors program is open to Dexcom CGM users and Kiwis are invited to register their interest now here.

About DexCom, Inc.

DexCom, Inc. empowers people to take real-time control of diabetes through innovative continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. Headquartered in San Diego, California, and with operations across Europe and select parts of Asia/Oceania, Dexcom has emerged as a leader in diabetes care technology. By listening to the needs of users, caregivers, and providers, Dexcom simplifies and improves diabetes management around the world. For more information about Dexcom CGM, visit dexcom.com/en-NZ.

About NZMS Diabetes

NZMS and its Australian branch, AMSL, are subsidiaries of Dexcom. They supply medical and scientific technologies to New Zealand and Australia. They form partnerships with world leading medical device, pharmaceutical and scientific innovators to introduce and establish advances in healthcare and science for the benefit of patients, healthcare providers and quality assurance professionals.

^* Compared to previous Dexcom generations. Dexcom G7 can complete warmup within 30 minutes, whereas other CGM brands require up to an hour or longer

^† If your glucose alerts and readings from Dexcom G7 do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions.

[1] https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/diabetes

² https://www.t1dindex.org/countries/new-zealand/