Technology improving the lives of Ontarians with diabetes

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Fri., Dec. 18, 2020timer3 min. read

Charlene Lavergne is a 65-year-old mother, grandmother and patient advocate who has been living with diabetes for nearly 50 years.

Today, more than 1.5 million people in Ontario are living with diabetes, just like Charlene. For these Ontarians, measuring their glucose levels is critical for staying healthy and avoiding serious or even life-threatening health complications. Since her diagnosis, Charlene has used various methods to measure her glucose, from urine testing to finger pricking, but always struggled to control her diabetes.

“Finger pricking was inconvenient and painful,” said Lavergne. “If I was at a family dinner, I’d have to leave the room or go outside to test. I always had to carry my reader and test strips everywhere I went, and then find a place to dispose of the used test strips. You end up not testing as often as you should.”

Over three years ago, Charlene began using Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre system§ – a flash glucose monitoring system that offers real-time glucose readings through a sensor worn on the back of the upper arm. Now, she can scan the sensor with the FreeStyle LibreLink app on her smartphone* anytime,† anywhere¢ to get a glucose reading* eliminating the need for painful finger pricking.¥

“I can test anytime† and as often as I want to see what is happening with my glucose levels,” said Lavergne.

For Charlene, like other Ontarians managing their diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care has become the new norm. In fact, one-third of Ontarians have had to use virtual care and/or other digital resources since the beginning of the pandemic and 15 per cent of Ontarians are sharing their glucose data with their doctor digitally, according to recent research from Ipsos.∞

It is a wonderful technology that has allowed me to feel more informed and have greater control over my diabetes.”

C H A R L E N E L A V E R G N E

Charlene shares her data with her doctor using the app,* enabling her to keep virtual appointments with her doctor and making it easy for her doctor to make informed decisions about her diabetes management.

“The FreeStyle LibreLink app* is easy to use. It is a wonderful technology that has allowed me to feel more informed and have greater control over my diabetes,” says Lavergne.

The FreeStyle Libre system has also brought Charlene closer with her family, allowing her to educate her daughters and granddaughters about the importance of diabetes management.

“Now I can sit at the dinner table with my family while I check my glucose,” added Lavergne. “It’s much more convenient and dignified. My grandkids love to use my phone to scan my sensor for me – they are more comfortable with it and so am I.” For Ontarians who are managing their diabetes with insulin, the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program provides public reimbursement for the FreeStyle Libre system.£

“I am fortunate that Ontario reimburses the cost of the FreeStyle Libre system for people like me, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it,” said Lavergne. “My hope is that every Canadian living with diabetes will soon have access to this life-changing technology.”

To learn more and understand how you may be eligible for ODB coverage in Ontario£, speak to your prescribing physician or pharmacist or visit myfreestyle.ca.

The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system is indicated for measuring interstitial fluid glucose levels in adults aged 18 years and older with diabetes mellitus. Always read and follow the label/insert. 

This article was paid for by Abbott, a manufacturer of diabetes care products in Canada. This is an actual testimonial of a FreeStyle Libre system user and Abbott has consent to use their story. Consent is on file with Abbott.

Disclaimer This content was supplied by the advertiser.