Once again, World Diabetes Day, celebrated on Nov. 14 every year, has come around, highlighting new initiatives in the diabetes tech space.
The date marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting. Banting discovered the insulin hormone along with Charles Herbert Best in 1922. It also lands during the American Diabetes Association’s National Diabetes Awareness Month.
Each year, several companies and organizations focused on helping people with diabetes come out with initiatives and efforts aimed at raising awareness and helping the millions of people who manage their condition every day. We compiled lists in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, highlighting some of the industry-wide initiatives for these occasions.
This year is no different.
(With this year’s World Diabetes Day initiatives, consider visiting our recent special content related to the diabetes industry. We have a Diabetes Tech Special Report available for free download as well as a MedTech Market Report on continuous glucose monitors (CGMS) available for purchase.)
Without further ado, here is what medtech’s diabetes community is doing for World Diabetes Day in 2025:
Insulet launches diabetes awareness initiatives
To better understand the impact of diabetes in the workplace, the automated insulin delivery system maker commissioned an external global survey of 9,656 workers with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, as well as caregivers and those without diabetes. The survey ranges across more than 10 sectors in 11 countries.
Insulet said its survey revealed three key issues faced by people with diabetes and their caregivers in their professional lives: misunderstanding of diabetes, stigmas and a supportive workplace.
“At Insulet, we’re proud to shine a light on this important issue and spark action in the workplace that helps people with diabetes focus on what matters most – doing their best work and living their best lives,” said Insulet President and CEO Ashley McEvoy.
Medtronic enlists star power for World Diabetes Day
King, a former world No. 1 tennis player and pioneer in women’s sports, is participating in the company’s Blue Balloon Challenge this year.
Introduced in 2021, the movement encourages people with diabetes to help drive awareness and understanding of the chronic condition. The company instructs people to take a video or photo while bouncing a blue balloon in the air with the hashtag #BlueBalloonChallenge. Each hashtag leads to a donation from Medtronic, which will soon spin off its Diabetes unit into a standalone, publicly traded company called MiniMed.
In a video posted on LinkedIn, King called the Blue Balloon Challenge “a powerful moment to raise awareness” for millions with diabetes.
Separately, the company’s future standalone Diabetes unit unveiled the social media hashtag “#TogetherAs1” to mark the event. It plans to host its first MiniMed Community Gathering over the weekend to bring together members of its patient advisory network.
The workshops include sharing stories, insights and updates, learning from one another and “co-creating the future of this growing community.”
“This is more than just a meeting,” the company wrote. “It’s the start of something special – built on trust, lived experience, and a shared commitment to making life with diabetes better, together.”
Dexcom announces new advocates to support campaign
The initiative selected 16 advocates from all over the world out of 1,000 open-call submissions. The advocates, ranging from ages six to 68, have different types of diabetes and represent four continents and five countries. Each person’s selection was based on their experience advocating for people with diabetes in their communities. The company said each advocate shares a common passion for advocacy and for the company’s glucose biosensing technology.
According to Dexcom, a leading CGM developer, its effort marks the first time it looked to source voices from the broader diabetes community specifically for its World Diabetes Day campaign. It highlights personal stories about diabetes, misconceptions the advocates would like to dispel and how they would like to inspire others.
Abbott continues Above the Bias initiative
At the beginning of this year, Abbott launched the “Above the Bias” initiative after a new survey highlighted how everyday comments centered around food, appearances and other stigmas may affect people living with diabetes.
Abbott says survey data revealed misconceptions and stereotypes that weigh heavily on the minds of those with diabetes. These can create yet another barrier to care, potentially preventing people from managing their health.
The company has said that “Above the Bias” aims to help others see the world from the perspective of someone living with diabetes. It builds upon efforts by several diabetes organizations, patient advocacy groups and experts that work to reduce the stigma about diabetes.
On World Diabetes Day, with The Skin Deep, Abbott continued the conversation about ending diabetes stigma.
ViCentra tells employee stories to highlight diabetes in the workplace
“At Kaleido, we’re there for users, by users,” the company said. ViCentra colleagues Charlotte and Korelien both have diabetes. They outlined their experiences working with diabetes, what they struggle with and advice they have for others.
The company and its employees said they want to highlight these experiences as people with diabetes may not always feel free to be open and honest about their needs.
“That is what World Diabetes Day 2025 is all about: creating space on the work floor for everyone with diabetes, so no one has to feel small. It is about letting a hypo be just a hypo and making sure colleagues know that it’s okay to ask questions. After all, understanding starts with openness.”
Renu MedTech unveils new patch pump for the diabetes community in India
The Pune, India-based company labeled InsuPatch “India’s first tubeless, affordable, patch-style insulin infusion pump.” It developed the system specifically for India’s climate, attire and everyday lifestyle. The company says current options prove prohibitively unaffordable, not designed for local conditions and are not covered under insurance.
“Diabetes touches millions of lives across India — shaping routines, emotions, families, and futures,” the company said. “For individuals who depend on insulin every single day, the journey is even more demanding. At Renu MedTech, we are proud to introduce InsuPatch, a made-in-India, tubeless, patch-style insulin infusion pump — designed specifically for Indian users, Indian conditions, and Indian healthcare realities.”
Embecta, Direct Relief expand partnership to support those with diabetes
In 2025, the company updated the packaging in North America. This created an opportunity to donate injection devices that carried the previous branding to those most in need.
Following the transition, Embecta says its donations reached approximately 15 million units of needles and syringes to Direct Relief. Through 2026, they now plan to continue their partnership to provide these crucial devices to those in need.
“As we mark World Diabetes Day, Embecta is proud to deepen our commitment to ensuring that everyone living with diabetes — regardless of their ability to pay or where they live — has access to the supplies they need,” said Dev Kurdikar, CEO, Embecta. “Since becoming an independent company, we have focused on empowering people with diabetes while paving the way for a life unlimited for all. This partnership with Direct Relief helps extend that mission to those who need it most.”
Sequel Med Tech unveils social media movement
Sequel Med Tech is marking National Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day with a dance.
The maker of the twiist automated insulin delivery system has created the #twiistTriumphDance on social media. It aims to celebrate and raise awareness about how people living with type 1 diabetes “triumph every day.”
For this challenge, the company partnered with Children with Diabetes, a non-profit dedicated to providing education and support to families living with type 1 diabetes.
Sequel says that, for every video posted using the hashtag “#twiistTriumphDance,” it will donate $5 to Children with Diabetes, going up to $5,000.
See examples of the dance on TikTok and Instagram.
Ascensia launches global art campaign
Entries came from around the world, with twenty finalist pieces curated into a free coloring and reflection book that invites people to pause, breathe and connect with the emotional world behind diabetes.
Ascensia also intends to offer a selection of the artwork free for permanent display. It invited hospitals, diabetes centers, schools, advocacy groups and public spaces to download, print and frame the pieces at no cost. Each work includes a brief personal story from the artist, offering a window into the emotional side of diabetes and mental health.
The American Diabetes Association highlights the state of diabetes
To unite the diabetes community, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) continues its “State of Diabetes” movement.
The association said its November calendar includes more than 30 “State of Diabetes” events across the country. The events serve as pivotal gatherings to unite employers, industry leaders, healthcare professionals and community members.
ADA wants to build support for its mission to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all those affected by the condition.
“This year, the focus for World Diabetes Day is wellbeing in the workplace. At the ADA, we know employer support makes a positive difference for those living with diabetes and their employers. Policies that enable people with diabetes to live well matter—at work, at home, and in every other part of their day-to-day,” said Charles “Chuck” Henderson, the ADA’s CEO.
Breakthrough T1D launches similar ‘State of T1D’ movement
To mark World Diabetes Day, Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) launched “The State of T1D.” This inaugural, comprehensive compilation of type 1 diabetes statistics aims to convey the impact of the disease.
With this movement, Breakthrough T1D hopes to raise awareness among individuals, the government and the U.S. healthcare system.
“As the number of type 1 diabetes cases grows, in the U.S. and around the world, it’s important that reliable data and statistics on the condition are available at an arm’s reach,” said Aaron J. Kowalski, CEO of Breakthrough T1D. “We’re working to challenge stigma, correct misconceptions, and enhance understanding of T1D, on World Diabetes Day and beyond.”
