Newsletter: October Odyssey
From Milan to Copenhagen, Goa to Rajasthan, October took us places, literally! It was quite the odyssey at Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation, with plenty of travel, community connections & advocacy around better diabetes care
We packed in 14 online & offline events, including community coffee meets across India and Singapore, workshops, conversations and diabetes awareness programmes reaching over 700 students & staff in Pune!
We were in Milan for EASD and a diabetes stigma meeting & Copenhagen for the ALIGN-T1D meeting. Back home, we participated in government-led T1D initiatives in Goa and Rajasthan, attended a capacity-building workshop for patient advocacy groups in Mumbai and continued advocating for the inclusion of modern analogue insulins in India's National List of Essential Medicines. We also saw our community featured in NCD Diaries.
Here's a look at October at Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation 💙
Analogue (rapid) insulins need to be more affordable for all
Do you find analogue insulins expensive or difficult to access - brands like Novorapid, Fiasp, Humalog, Apidra, Tresiba & others? Nupur Lalvani talks about why access to insulin matters✊🏼
Analogue insulins, including rapid, ultra-rapid and long-acting insulins, are included in the WHO Essential Medicines List. Our community, along with diabetes advocates and organisations around the world, was part of the successful advocacy for this important step.
But inclusion in the WHO list is only the beginning. We are now urging the Government of India to include analogue insulins in India’s National List of Essential Medicines, so that these insulins are more accessible and affordable for the millions living with all types of diabetes in India
📢 LinX/VitaTok CGM Pricing for Our Community
Hi all, we are happy to announce that our NGO Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation has liaised with the company to bring our members the best rate available for Linx (Rs 3100) & Vitatok (Rs 3000) sensors. This rate is inclusive of shipping & a FREE adhesive over patch!
This rate is applicable only in the following cases -
- Person ordering should be a Blue Circle member (by signing up on the Blue Circle Diabetes mobile app). Sensors available pan India.
- Order should be placed through the Blue Circle Diabetes mobile app only.
- To order, open the Blue Circle app, go to the Menu > Shop > CGM Store > View member pricing & order. Then select the CGM & quantity of your choice & press Buy Now. Proceed to fill your details & make the payment. You will then receive confirmation from the seller.
- Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation is organising this facility for the benefit of community members living with diabetes & NO profit or commission is being made by the NGO. Sensors are for personal use & not resale. If any member is found to be doing so, strict action will be initiated.
- For queries, email support@bluecircle.foundation
In-Person Peer Counselling in Pune!
We’re bringing the Buddy Project Helpline offline in Pune!
Now you can meet experienced peer counsellors from the Blue Circle community face-to-face for 1:1 conversations, guidance, and support whether you live with any type of diabetes or care for someone who does.
Choose your buddy in the Blue Circle Diabetes App - read their bio, check their availability, and book your slot in just a few taps! Available only at our Pune Community Centre, see the location on Google Maps.
Peer-to-peer support for people living with diabetes & their families. Download the Blue Circle Diabetes app & book your appointment today!
In person counselling announcement!
Join our #BlueCircleWorkshops led by and for people living with diabetes, all Sundays - free and open to all!
Join Nupur & Sanjeevani on #BlueCircleWorkshops for a conversation on making insulin affordable in India—from the rising costs of insulin and access challenges to our advocacy for including modern analogue insulins in India's National List of Essential Medicines. We'll also discuss our efforts at the WHO level and what this could mean for people living with diabetes 💙
Tune in on Facebook, click here to RSVP!
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!
November 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 October 2026 at Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation.
We had 14 online and offline events in October 2026 - see the photos below!
Glimpses from our offline meets
Amazing Pune coffee catch-up & conversations & what a MASSIVE turnout, 50 people! We took over the outdoor cafe 💛 ☕ Stay connected on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network India for upcoming events in your city 🇮🇳
The Pune gang!
Photos from our Mumbai coffee catch-up ☕
Photos from our Jaipur coffee catch-up ☕
Fun coffee catch-up with our friends in Singapore 🤩☕ Stay tuned on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network India for upcoming events ✨
Fun coffee catch-up with our friends in Goa 🤩☕
Goa coffee catch-up!
School Awareness Programs, Pune
In october 2026, Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation reached out to schools in Pune & covered 700 students and staff.
The sessions focused on diabetes awareness, the different types of diabetes, healthy lifestyles, nutrition, prevention, recognising symptoms & the importance of early diagnosis and timely care. Through awareness and education, we can help reduce stigma, encourage healthier choices & empower young people to take charge of their health.
👉 Want to make a difference? Write to us at support@bluecircle.foundation to arrange similar sessions at your school or organisation. Interested in volunteering? Watch for calls in our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network India.
See below updates from the various schools we reached in October:
- Mahilashram High School & Hostel for girls, Pune (8th Oct 2026)
Photos from the school
Also, see a video from the event-
2. Mahilashram High School & Hostel for girls, Pune (10th Oct 2026)
Photos from the school
Also, see a video from the event-
Events in Milan, Italy
A whirlwind week in Milan in early October for Nupur 🇮🇹 - right from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) conference to multiple workshops and conversations on diabetes stigma, access, advocacy & lived experience — lots of learning, old friends, new connections and plenty to bring back home!
Photos from multiple events in Milan
ALIGN-T1D meeting, Copenhagen
Representing India 🇮🇳 in Copenhagen 🇩🇰 Nupur Lalvani joined global stakeholders at an ALIGN-T1D meeting working to close critical gaps in access to care for people living with type 1 diabetes in low and middle income countries. Nearly 10 million people worldwide live with T1D, yet many still face preventable loss of life due to limited access to insulin, monitoring, peer support & overall quality care.
In India too, access remains inconsistent. We need stronger, integrated, government-led systems that ensure no one is left behind 🌍
Photos from the meeting
Patient First Summit, Mumbai
Sanjeevani & Snehal represented our community at the Capacity Building Workshop for Patient Advocacy Groups as part of the Patient First Summit in Mumbai 💙
The workshop focused on strengthening patient-led advocacy through communications, digital engagement & effective engagement with policymakers and stakeholders.
Photos from the event in Mumbai
T1D event by the Goa Government
On 26th October 2026, Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation participated in the launch of the Goa Government’s initiative to strengthen access to type 1 diabetes care, organised by the Directorate of Health Services, Goa
The event focused on improving T1D screening, diagnosis, treatment & management, including capacity building for clinicians. We were glad to bring patient voices and lived experiences into these important conversations! 💪
Photos from the event in Goa
Peer Support event, Rajasthan Government
On 31st October 2026, our team was proud to be in Ajmer for the Mission Madhuhari Type 1 Diabetes Peer Support Program organised by the Department of Medical and Health Services, Government of Rajasthan.
It’s encouraging to see governments recognising the value of patient communities as partners in healthcare. Here’s to many more such collaborations! 💪💜
Photos from the Ajmer event
Also, see a video from the event-
In the News 📣
Community member Krish highlights the psychosocial side of living with diabetes in this NCD Diary focused on young voices ➡️ Read here
Congratulations to our community member, Anant who recently won a Diabetes Awareness Excellence Award at the National School Health Conference 2026 in Jaipur
Photos from the event
Telling people I have T1D (reel)
We asked our Pune community how they tell people they have type 1 diabetes 🩵💛 Tell us how you do it!
GRWM / Get Ready With Us: Diabetes Edition 💙 (reel)
Outfit ✅ Makeup ✅ Heels ✅ …but also the invisible checklist before stepping out:
Checked sugars? Packed snacks? Carried insulin? 😅 Because it’s never ‘just’ getting ready.
New App Feature
💡New CGM integration alert! We’ve integrated the Libre 2 CGM via the Juggluco app (Android), based on your feedback and suggestions!
Running the app takes ongoing effort and resources - if it’s been helpful to you and you’d like to support others who use it for free, consider a small recurring donation of ₹99:
👉 https://www.bluecircle.foundation/donate
Awiqli - weekly basal insulin
Many of you have been asking about Awiqli (insulin icodec), the once-weekly basal insulin, which has just been launched in India 🇮🇳
In this video, Nupur Lalvani explains what it is, who it may be suitable for, what the clinical trials have shown so far & answers some of the most common questions we’ve been receiving.
Share this with & someone who needs to know & remember to join our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network India to join discussions with thousands of people living with diabetes!
🚀 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!
New Blog Alerts!
Access to insulin should not depend on where you live or what you can afford. In the state of Telangana in India, people with type 1 diabetes can access free analogue (bolus & basal) insulin every month. Parinaaz has put together a practical, step-by-step guide on how to avail it. Read it here and let’s spread the word!
Not cured. Not reversed. Just somewhat in control.” Sameer Gujral shares his unfiltered journey with type 2 diabetes & finding balance & community. Read the blog.
Blue Circle 🔵 Diabetes Myth Busters ✋
Blinking exercises do not cure diabetic retinopathy 🙄 What other myths would you like to see busted? 👊
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 350 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.
Navratri Fasting with Diabetes- FB Chat thread
We hosted a discussion on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India where we did a day-long chat thread on fasting during Navratri while managing any type of diabetes.
#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!
Modaks, Mithai & Blood Sugars- FB Chat thread
We hosted a discussion on our Facebook community, Diabetes Support Network - India where we did a day-long chat thread on unexpected, frustrating, funny, nice or surprisingly difficult things you only discovered along the journey of having any type of diabetes.
#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!
Festivals & diabetes: Workshop
Join Kakli (parent to a T1) & Sneha (T2D) on #BlueCircleWorkshops for tips & tricks on navigating festivals with diabetes—from festive food, sweets & changing routines to blood sugars, insulin/medication and enjoying the celebrations without the stress! 🪔✨
#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 YouTube.
Managing T1D during puberty in girls: Workshop
Join Pediatric Endocrinologist Dr (Mrs) Sumeet Arora & parent to a T1, Shinjini Bhattacharya on #BlueCircleWorkshops for a conversation on managing type 1 diabetes during puberty in girls—from hormones & changing insulin needs to periods, blood sugars and navigating the physical & emotional changes that come with growing up with T1D. This session is part of Project Gaia—our initiative to create a safe, supportive space for women with all types of diabetes 💪🌐
#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 YouTube.
CGM access & affordability 💡
Last year, following the discontinuation of the more affordable Abbott Libre Pro, we surveyed hundreds of community members, with 99.2% saying they were not comfortable with the price increase. We shared these findings directly with Abbott and advocated for the Pro to continue and for CGM prices to be reduced. When it was discontinued, we also raised the issue of access and affordability through the media, including the Times of India, Sakal and The Bridge Chronicle, while beginning to explore newer, more affordable CGM options entering the Indian market. 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.
Buddy Project Helpline turned 6 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
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)
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 this post to read Yash'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.
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
Check out the adorable diabetes merchandise from the Blue Circle Store and order them now!
#FlipTheCalendar October 2026
Sound on and time to #FlipTheCalendar! The #BlueCircleDiabetesCalendar is a fun calendar featuring chemist Gangmei who has type 2 diabetes🥇
Blue Circle Blogs
Read our blog here. We write about everything from recipes to people's stories, technology and everything diabetes!
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
