Newsletter: April in Action
Welcome to our April in Action newsletter edition! April was a month of momentum for our diabetes community. We proudly represented our voices at major events in Bangkok and New Delhi, took diabetes awareness into corporate spaces, and highlighted the sunflower lanyard initiative to support invisible disabilities. Plus, our community shared authentic new reviews of the Linx CGM and Provilac high-protein milk—because lived experience matters.
Insulin Discontinuation
Important update for our community- Novo Nordisk is phasing out several commonly used insulin products in India, including Actrapid, Mixtard, and Insulatard in 100iu Penfill and FlexPen formats. Only the 40 IU vials of these insulins will remain available. This change may affect many people who’ve used these for years. Don’t panic — there are alternatives. Please speak to your doctor or healthcare provider to plan your next steps. Are you affected by this? What are your plans? Share with us here — your voice matters.
CGM updates
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 99.2% 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. 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! Also see the video review in Hindi & English.
2. iCan by Sinocare CGM - MRP Rs 5500 (lasts 15 days) - review coming soon!
3. Libre 1 FGM - MRP 5249 (lasts 14 days)- see the blog & video
- Tracky CGM - MRP Rs 3899 (lasts 14 days) - review coming soon!
Please note, Libre 1 is a Flash Glucose Monitor, whereas all others are CGMs Continuous Glucose Monitors.
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 Jaya from MOHAN Foundation, a kidney transplant recipient whose condition was not caused by diabetes, and Snehal (T1) as they discuss common myths and facts about organ donation and transplants.
Tune in on Facebook Live, click here to RSVP/view!
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 April 2025 at Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation.
We had 9 online and offline events in April 2025 - see the photos below!
Glimpses from our offline meets
Friends from our Mumbai coffee catch-up!
All smiles 😄
Friends from our Pune coffee catch-up!
Pune friends!
Smiles from our Bengaluru coffee catch-up!
Friends from Bangalore
Corporate Diabetes Awareness Programme
Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation organised a Corporate Diabetes Awareness Programme for staff on 11th April at FEV India (Pune).
Help make a difference and please get in touch with us at support@bluecircle.foundation if you would like to arrange similar sessions at your organisation. If you are interested in volunteering, keep an eye out for calls on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network India.
IDF Diabetes Congress, Bangkok
Nupur Lalvani and Snehal Nandagawli proudly represented our community at the IDF World Diabetes Congress 2025 in Bangkok. Nupur was part of the Organising Programme Committee for IDF 2025 and also served as a moderator for poster presentations.
💡On 8th April, Nupur moderated a session on ‘Redefining insulin access: a framework for equity & innovation’
💡On 9th April, Snehal was scheduled to speak about the Buddy Project Helpline—our mental health and diabetes helpline run by and for people living with diabetes.
💡Later that day, Nupur presented on ‘The economic impact of diabetes on patients in LMICs like India & the need to implement UHC’
💡On 10th April, Nupur also presented on ‘Diabetes, NCDs & UHC’
💡Snehal showcased her poster on ‘Project Gaia—an initiative to empower women & girls with diabetes in India’We’re honoured to have shared the stage and spotlighted our work with the global diabetes community.
Snapshots from the Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Thailand
Capacity Building Program, Bangkok
Nupur represented the community at an advocates’ capacity building program in Bangkok, organized by Sanofi. Proud to bring the voices of people living with all types of diabetes, alongside advocates from across all health conditions to the global stage.
Photos from the capacity building programme for advocates in Bangkok
Community-led Diabetes Innovation, New Delhi
Snehal represented our community at a meeting on innovations in community-led diabetes prevention and management in India, organised by Beyond Type 1 and Hriday in New Delhi. Community-led approaches are critical for better health outcomes.
Snehal at the Beyond Type 1 event in New Delhi
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 brand new Reports section, built from your feedback and suggestions!
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 Alerts!
A real-world review of Provilac’s High-Protein Milk by Shankar — taste, blood sugar impact, and whether it fits into diabetes management.
Read the full blog here. Have you tried it yet? Tell us in the comments or on our Facebook group, Diabetes Support Network India!
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? 👊
Sunflower lanyard
🌻 Heard of the sunflower lanyard for hidden disabilities? Nupur breaks it down — what it is, where to get one, and how it can help people living with diabetes and other invisible conditions at airports & other places!
#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.
Summer & Diabetes : FB Chat thread
We hosted a special discussion on ‘Summer & Diabetes,’ on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India where we explored the unique challenges and tips for managing diabetes during the hot months. 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!
Pregnancy & Diabetes: Workshop
Join Aarti & Ipsita for a workshop where they share their experiences of going through pregnancy with type 1 diabetes. 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. 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)
Blue Circle Diabetes App Overview: Workshop
Nishtha (LADA) & Madhur (T1) from our Blue Circle Beta Tester Team bring you an overview of the Blue Circle Diabetes mobile app! Don't miss this workshop & all the exciting app updates.
Want to dive into more workshops on diabetes technology? See our tech playlist. Also, see our blogs on diabetes technology.
#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)
Fasting & Diabetes: Workshop
Join Nayiri & Nupur (T1s) as they talk about practical strategies, tips & personal experiences for managing diabetes while fasting — whether it’s for health, religious, or lifestyle reasons.
Want to dive into more workshops on intermittent fasting & low carb? See our low carb playlist. Also, see our blogs on low carb.
#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 will turn 5 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 April 2025
Sound on and time to #FlipTheCalendar! The #BlueCircleDiabetesCalendar is a fun calendar featuring people living with all types of diabetes. Featuring 69 year old Ravinder who has type 2 diabetes & has had a kidney transplant. He loves running & table tennis🥇
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
