22 — From Diabetes Burnout to the CGM Access Blueprint — Kirsten de Klerk (South Africa)

When sixteen-year-old Kirsten de Klerk was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, she asked how long she’d have to live like this. Her doctor replied, “Every day for the rest of your life.”

Years later, that sentence became the fuel for change.

Sign the CGM Access Petition: In less than one-minute, you can change global access to CGM forever.

In this episode, John Pemberton talks with Kirsten about her journey from diabetes burnout to national advocacy, and how her work is now shaping a CGM Access Blueprint for South Africa — a model that could influence global policy.

Episode 22: show notes and links and consider buying the GNL a Coffee to the podcast independent.

They discuss:

• The emotional toll of diabetes burnout and the power of community.
• How the #LetterToMyDiabetes movement sparked a nationwide campaign.
• The reality of access inequality — 85 % of South Africans rely on public healthcare with only a few test strips a day.
• The creation of SA Diabetes Advocacy, gathering 14 000+ petition signatures for CGM funding.
• Why access without accuracy is false progress — and how unregulated devices put people at risk.

Kirsten and John explore what happens when lived experience meets evidence, and how persistence — not privilege — drives real change.

Together they outline three truths that every policymaker, clinician, and person with diabetes should understand:

1. Not all CGMs are created equally.
   Some systems are clinically validated for insulin dosing; others are not. Price competition must not compromise safety.
2. Inaccuracy harms you now.
   When CGMs fail to detect highs or lows, real people are put at immediate risk.
3. Inaccuracy harms you later.
   CGMs that systematically under- or over-report glucose create false reassurance — “70% time-in-range on one device might be 60% on another.”

Sign the CGM Access Petition: In less than one-minute, you can change global access to CGM forever.

Links & Resources:
🌍 Sign the CGM Access Petition (South Africa)

📊 DSN Forum UK – CGM Comparison Chart

🔬 FIND Diagnostics – CGM Accuracy Factsheet

📘 GNL FAQ – CGM Regulation & Comparator Bias

📱 Follow Kirsten → @everydayisdiabetesday
| @sadiabetesadvocacy

🎧 Listen, learn, and share.
The CGM Access Blueprint begins in South Africa — but its lessons apply everywhere.

Episode 22: show notes and links and consider buying the GNL a Coffee to the podcast independent.