Newsletter: March Milestones
Welcome to our March Milestones newsletter edition, where we spotlight impactful outreach & community-driven initiatives from our diabetes community. This month, we continued our advocacy efforts, amplifying key issues and strengthening global connections. We raised concerns about high out-of-pocket CGM costs following a major product discontinuation, highlighting the urgent need for affordable diabetes technology. Our community was represented at a T1D strategy meeting in Copenhagen.
We’re also thrilled to announce that orders are open for the 6th edition of the Blue Circle Diabetes Calendar 2025, featuring 12 incredible people living with various types of diabetes.
Announcement - Blue Circle Calendar 2025
We're thrilled to unveil our 6th edition of the #BlueCircleDiabetesCalendar for 2025!
Grab yours TODAY: https://www.bluecircle.foundation/store
Featuring 12 incredible individuals with various types of diabetes, this charity calendar is a daily reminder that a diagnosis didn't end the journey & with grit and determination we will triumph together! Perfect for your desk, or as an inspiring gift for family and friends! For bulk orders, reach out at support@bluecircle.foundation
Meet the awesome people on the calendar- each one lives with some type of diabetes
Meet the awesome people on the calendar- each one lives with some type of diabetes
Libre Pro update
We promised to share an update on the Libre Pro (the cheaper CGM/FGM option, about half the price of Libre 1)- here it is -
Quick background- we have been hearing the Pro would shut down since several years now, however since no stock was made available post the Feb ‘25 expiry lot, we knew the stoppage news could be real this time. Swinging into action, we created a survey to gauge your thoughts about the situation and the increasing prices. It was filled by hundreds of our supporters and community members and 99.1% of you said you are not comfortable with the price rise at ALL.
If you would still like to share your opinion on why diabetes care should be affordable for everyone, please participate in the survey & share via this link - https://forms.gle/xyrcnXT5TE2ZE7Tw6
We formally presented these findings to the leadership at Abbott and made 2 requests - 1) don’t stop Pro, 2) Reduce sensor prices
We did not receive an explanation about the stoppage other than the Abbott leadership wants to talk to us. So we talked a few days ago hoping for a meaningful dialogue & and an understanding of the crushing out of pocket costs incurred by those living with diabetes & their families in India. Certainly it is possible to have an affordable CGM that makes business sense too, we alluded to the company.
Sadly our requests fell on deaf ears. Apparently the relatively affordable Libre Pro sensor is well on its way to being pulled out of the market for good
The company made a feeble attempt at saying they would think of some schemes for the community but upon asking for further clarification, none was made at that point in time. We will keep you posted if & when we hear any updates.
What happens next?
Hard times call for hard measures- since many of you have been asking, yes, sensors can continue to be used beyond expiry, despite it not being recommended with no chance of exchange in case of issues.
There are also a few new CGMs in the market now & we are exploring which ones can potentially match or better the pricing of the Pro sensors. In the coming days we will share a review of the Linx CGM and a few others. Stay tuned to this space for updates.
CGM/FGM options after the Libre Pro 💡
Since the relatively affordable Abbott Libre Pro has been discontinued, here are alternative CGM options shared by Snehal in the video below, in order of lowest to highest prices-
1. Linx CGM - MRP Rs 4500 (lasts 15 days) - don't miss our review blog!
2. iCan by Sinocare CGM - MRP Rs 5500 (lasts 15 days)
3. Libre 1 FGM - MRP 5249 (lasts 14 days)
Please note, the first two are Continuous Glucose Monitors whereas the Libre 1 is a Flash Glucose Monitor Stay tuned for our reviews on the iCan CGM (& more CGMs in the pipeline!) & see the blog & video on Libre 1.
Want a deep dive into diabetes technology? Read our diabetes tech blogs here and see our playlist here.
📣 In the News
People with diabetes in India are upset with the discontinuation of a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor that has been the “most affordable” option in the country. They must now pay more for alternative CGMs or revert to painful glucose meter tests. Mohit, Snehal & Nupur from Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation spoke with Eshan from the Times of India.
🔗 Read the full article.
🔗 Read the article in Sakal about the same issues. Sakal is the largest circulated Marathi newspaper in the state of Maharashtra.
🔗 Read the article in The Bridge Chronicle newspaper too.
Join our #BlueCircleWorkshops led by and for people living with diabetes, Sunday, 5PM IST - free and open to all!
Join us for a day-long discussion on ‘Summer and Diabetes,’ where we’ll explore the unique challenges and tips for managing diabetes during the hot months.
This session will be a Facebook group chat thread (no video, only comments) from 9AM to 9PM IST, so feel free to join the conversation at your convenience- open to ALL!
Apply to be an app beta tester!
We have been working behind the scenes, making a big revamp to our Blue Circle Diabetes mobile app, which is an app made ‘by’ and ‘for’ people with all types of diabetes. Come join the cool club of diverse Blue Circle Beta Testers. Read more about the Blue Circle Diabetes app:
See if you fit the eligibility criteria and apply now!
Have questions? Email: support@bluecircle.foundation
We have several upcoming events in the next few weeks, join us! Stay tuned for upcoming virtual and physical events in your cities & don't miss the chance to meet other friends & families with diabetes! Any questions? Ask away on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India and head to the 'Events' section on the group to RSVP for events you want to share or attend!
Join in for online and offline events!
We share all important information and updates on our social media handles, so ensure you join our Facebook community , follow us on Instagram , Twitter , YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn. Here's a quick low down on all that happened in March 2025 at Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation.
We had 8 online and offline events in March 2025 - see the photos below!
Glimpses from our offline meets
Friends from our Mumbai coffee catch-up!
Glimpses from the #IDSRun2025, a vibrant 3km & 5km run & Zumba session in Pune, India, thanks to the joint efforts of Chellaram Hospital - Diabetes Care & Multispeciality, Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation, Servier & The Pavillion Mall. This exhilarating event, part of the 9th International Diabetes Summit, united our community in the spirit of health & awareness🏃♂️💃
Check out the fun video too-
9th International Diabetes Summit, Pune
An incredible moment for the Blue Circle community! A select group of diabetes advocates proudly represented the Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation at the 9th International Diabetes Summit in Pune, hosted by the Chellaram Hospital. This medical conference underscored the vital principle that people living with diabetes should be actively involved in their care journey because #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
T1D Meeting, Copenhagen
Ahead of the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs later this year, Nupur Lalvani represented the Indian type 1 diabetes community in Copenhagen this month, contributing to shaping the global T1D access strategy, working towards equitable care and sustainable solutions for underserved communities.
New App Feature
The Blue Circle Diabetes app is now 5 years old & India’s first app made by and for those actually living with diabetes. PS- what’s your favourite new feature? 🥳
New feature 💡we’ve added a period tracker so that you can adjust your doses as per your menstrual cycle. 🌸✨ As part of Project Gaia, we’re creating a safe space for women with all types of diabetes + caregivers to learn, share, and support each other 💪🌐
Running the mobile app consumes recurring resources & if you feel it’s been helpful for you & you want to support people who use the platform for free, please consider a small recurring donation of Rs 99 - https://www.bluecircle.foundation/donate
In the News
🎥 Watch ‘Going Full Circle’, a powerful micro-documentary by the NCD Alliance showcasing the impact of community in driving change. Meet Nupur, Snehal & Tanisha from Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation, each living with type 1 diabetes. Their stories reveal how the strength of community and the will to #LeadOnNCDs can inspire true transformation. Don’t miss it!
The International Diabetes Federation has chosen “Diabetes and Well-being” as the theme for World Diabetes Day 2024-26. Their new campaign video features inspiring stories from diabetes advocates worldwide, including Nupur Lalvani from Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation sharing the profound impact of diabetes on their well-being.
This World Diabetes Day, let’s prioritize well-being in diabetes care and take the first step toward creating a better diabetes life for everyone. See the video below-
🚀 Inhaled Insulin Afrezza – Coming soon to India!
Hear Nupur’s experience with Afrezza, the ultra-fast inhaled insulin by Cipla! 💨 Got questions or want a detailed workshop on it? Let us know in the comments or post in our FB community – Diabetes Support Network India!
Our app uptime is 99.8%, and we’ve been working hard to bring our response time down to a lightning-fast ~100 milliseconds! Have any questions? Ask in our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India.
Download the Blue Circle Diabetes mobile app on Android and iOS. Learn more about all the app features in this blog.
New Blog Alert!
2 dads from the Blue Circle community, Harjot & Vikram, whose young children have type 1 diabetes, share their detailed review of the Linx CGM.
Read the blog here & see the videos in Hindi & English below-
Blue Circle 🔵 Diabetes Myth Busters ✋
Hug trees for the right reasons, says Nupur 😂💚 it is NOT going to cure your diabetes or stimulate your pancreas. What other myths would you like to see busted? 👊
#BlueCircleWorkshops (online)
Did you know that since the onset of COVID-19, every Sunday we've consistently hosted over 250 FREE, online diabetes workshops by and for people living with all types of diabetes as part of our commitment to accessible health education? Each workshop is led by experts who are passionate about making a meaningful difference. Check out our YouTube playlist to see some of these workshops.
Join in, have fun and learn new things. Sign up as a member and follow our social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn to know of upcoming workshops. Be a part of our awesome Facebook community too!
RSVP & tune in on Facebook for the live workshops (if you miss a workshop, catch up later with recordings on YouTube or Facebook). Let's learn, grow, and navigate together.
Joint & Muscle Pain in Women: Workshop
Snehal is in conversation with physiotherapist & exercise specialist Dr Samana Sayed about challenges in women’s mobility especially joint & muscle pains & how to manage it with exercise & physiotheraphy, as we celebrate women’s month, this March. This session is an initiative under Project Gaia, where we aim to create a safe space for women with all types of diabetes.
Want to dive into more workshops on exercise & diabetes? See our exercise playlist. Also, see our blogs on exercise. Want to dive into more workshops on diabetes & women? See our Project Gaia women playlist.
#BlueCircleWorkshops are free, online workshops on diabetes by and for people living with various types of diabetes. Join us every Sunday at 5PM India time!
Click the post below to view the workshop video on Instagram (you can also view on YouTube here)
Our Health, Our Voices : FB Chat thread
We hosted a special discussion on ‘Our Health, Our Voices,’ on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India where where we explored challenges & opportunities for women with diabetes. All our #BlueCircleWorkshops this March focussed on women’s health!
As part of Project Gaia, we’re creating a safe space for women with all types of diabetes + caregivers to learn, share, and support each other. Click this link to read the chat & participate.
#BlueCircleWorkshops are free, online workshops on diabetes by and for people living with various types of diabetes. Join us every Sunday at 5PM India time!
Meethi Baatein
Dive into the 46th episode of our series, Meethi Baatein, as we spotlight and celebrate the top contributors of our vibrant Facebook community. This time, join Parul, diagnosed with T1 at age 50, as she chats with top contributor Divya, parent to a T1 teenager. Their shared experiences, insights, and stories promise to resonate with many. See the recording here.
All our #BlueCircleWorkshops this March focussed on women’s stories & health! As part of Project Gaia, we’re creating a safe space for women with all types of diabetes + caregivers to learn, share, and support each other
Periods & Diabetes with AI & the Blue Circle Diabetes App: Workshop
Join Nishtha (LADA) & Snehal (T1) for a workshop on managing diabetes across different phases of the menstrual cycle. Learn how hormonal changes impact blood sugar and how the new Period Tracker feature on the Blue Circle Diabetes App can help you track patterns, adjust insulin doses, and take control of your health! As we celebrate Women’s Month this March, this session is part of Project Gaia—our initiative to create a safe, supportive space for women with all types of diabetes.
Want to dive into more workshops on diabetes technology? See our tech playlist. Also, see our blogs on diabetes technology. Want to dive into more workshops on diabetes & women? See our Project Gaia women playlist. Want to read more about menstruation & diabetes? Read this blog.
#BlueCircleWorkshops are free, online workshops on diabetes by and for people living with various types of diabetes. Join us every Sunday at 5PM India time!
Click the post below to view the workshop video on Facebook (you can also view on YouTube here)
Menopause & Diabetes: Workshop
Join Namrata & Chaiti (T1s) for a workshop on managing diabetes during perimenopause & menopause. Learn how hormonal changes affect blood sugar, and how the Period Tracker on the Blue Circle Diabetes App can help you spot patterns & take charge of your health! As we celebrate Women’s Month this March, this session is part of Project Gaia—our initiative to create a safe, supportive space for women with all types of diabetes.
Want to dive into more workshops on diabetes & women? See our Project Gaia women playlist.
#BlueCircleWorkshops are free, online workshops on diabetes by and for people living with various types of diabetes. Join us every Sunday at 5PM India time!
Click the post below to view the workshop video on Facebook (you can also view on YouTube here)
Buddy Project Helpline turned 4 in May 🎁🎂🎉
Happy Birthday to our Buddy Project Helpline and a big thank you to our buddies, past & present who have volunteered on the helpline 💙
The Buddy Project Helpline started during Covid19 and continues to be a diabetes & mental health support system, free of cost and open to anyone with any type of diabetes & their caregivers.
🆘Read more about the helpline here
🆘 Download on Android here
🆘 Download on iOS here
🆘Read about the Blue Circle Diabetes app here
Help us keep our community safe 🥹💪🏼
Join our mission to keep our Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation and Diabetes Support Network - India community safe! 🛡️ Nupur Lalvani and Snehal Nandagawli are here with a special message: Help us protect our safe space from spammers, sellers & troublemakers. Let’s work together to maintain a supportive, informative, and spam-free environment for everyone. Watch the video to find out how you can contribute to a safer community 🩵🤝
Success Stories
Found the community helpful, have a success story to share? E-mail us on support@bluecircle.foundation and we'll be happy to feature you! Click the post below to read Alka's success story-
Letter for Schools
Whether newly diagnosed or not, it's an anxious time for parents of kids with type 1 diabetes. Please feel free to click this post on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network India which will take you to a downloadable and editable letter for schools. Edit it with your child's specific details and share a signed copies with the child's school principal, teachers, etc.
You are welcome to email us on support@bluecircle.foundation if you face any issues with school admissions etc or you would like us to organise a diabetes awareness programme at your school or organisations.
See the post below for an important announcement regarding schools and universities. Click the post below, go to the comments section to read or download each circular issued by the NCPCR - National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
Buddy Project Helpline
The Buddy Project Helpline started during Covid19 and continues to be a diabetes & mental health support system & helpline, free of cost and open to anyone with any type of diabetes & their caregivers.
Read more about the helpline & to use the helpline, download the Blue Circle Diabetes mobile app on Android or iOS. Also read about the Blue Circle Diabetes app and all its features here.
The Buddy Project Helpline is our mobile app based psychosocial helpline for diabetes and mental health. 9 trained volunteers living with diabetes (type 1, type 2 & caregivers), speaking 9 different languages (English, Hindi, Dutch, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil and Punjabi) are here to listen to you without judgements. If you feel lost, depressed, anxious, panicky, suicidal or generally upset, please schedule a call with us. These are tough times but remember you are NOT alone, your community stands with you.
How to call the Buddy Project helpline
Open the Blue Circle Diabetes app > Buddy Project > Schedule tab > pick a buddy of your choice > Schedule a call (once you schedule you'll see it under the 'Meetings' tab > 10 minutes prior to the call, you'll receive an app notification/reminder > To join the call, open the app, go to Buddy Project & under the 'Meetings' tab, press the 'Join' button (video is off by default, can switch on as per preference)
Why should you attend our meet-ups?
Fair question! Check out this post to know why-
Diabetes Humour
Life with any type of diabetes is not easy. Here's a little diabetes humour to brighten up your day. Click the posts below & like, share & comment!
Looking for a partner? Marriage & Diabetes
We understand that a lot of people with diabetes face tremendous difficulties in finding the right partner and getting married. We have received a lot of requests over the years to facilitate a platform to this end. Here's our small effort in that direction. If you'd like to find a partner, or are a parent who would like to introduce their child looking to get married, please introduce yourself on our private Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India.
Blue Circle Store- Relaunched!
Check out the adorable diabetes merchandise from the Blue Circle Store and order them now!
#FlipTheCalendar March 2025
Sound on and time to #FlipTheCalendar! The #BlueCircleDiabetesCalendar is a fun calendar featuring people living with all types of diabetes. Featuring 4 year old champ, Sarthak who also has type 1 diabetes🥇
Order calendars & adorable diabetes merchandise:
https://www.bluecircle.foundation/store
Blue Circle Blogs
Read our blog here. We write about everything from recipes to people's stories, technology and everything diabetes!
Donate
India's first app, made by diabetics & for diabetics. If you have found the app helpful & would like to help, consider making a small donation of Rs 99 per month: https://www.bluecircle.foundation/donate
Download the Blue Circle Diabetes app on Android and iOS. Click here to read about the app & its features.
Thank you to our wonderful community for helping us making the app better for you! We look forward to your generosity to help us rewrite the app ground up! Use the 'New Feature Idea' button on the app to tell us what features may make the app better.
Connect with us and participate!
Join our award winning Facebook community, like and follow our page, subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn too! Use the Blue Circle Diabetes app to track your vitals and don't forget to check out our website and Buddy Project helpline too!
SUPPORT BLUE CIRCLE DIABETES FOUNDATION
We need your help and support to continue to grow, expand and touch the lives of countless people in the diabetes community. Every little bit helps us in sustaining this endeavour. Our NGO is registered under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, India.
Click here to donate
