How the MiniMed 670G System is Helping This High School Freshman Reach New Heights

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Andrew. His story was recently shared with me via a news article about a charity event that he’s involved with each year. I was really inspired because, if I look back and remember being a 15-year-old high school freshman, I don’t think I even had an ounce of the maturity that Andrew has shown. I thought it’d be great for him to share his story with our community and talk about how he’s managing his diabetes.   

Q: Would you mind introducing yourself?
A: My name is Andrew and I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes five years ago. I like to play soccer and I also enjoy rock climbing. I’m currently a freshman in high school in Wisconsin.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your diabetes story. 
A: When first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it was something I didn’t know anything about. I had to adapt to my new way of life, like constantly checking my blood sugar and giving myself insulin. I had to do this for about a year, but it’s become easier to handle since having an insulin pump system, especially the MiniMed 670G system. The system has helped me to manage my diabetes better than I was able to before.

I can also say having diabetes has impacted me in a good way. I would not be who I am today without diabetes. Having diabetes has forced me to become a hard worker and a more optimistic person. I feel I have become a healthier person through diet and exercise because I have T1D. I have met some great friends who also have T1D and have been able to bond with them because of the many experiences that we have shared while facing T1D. Diabetes has allowed me to come closer to people because I know how much they care about me and my health.

Q: We came in contact with you after a news story was shared about your grandfather helping to organize a charity event to raise money for diabetes. Will you tell us about this event and what it means to you?
A: It is a very special event for me. It is a golf event, Tee Up Fore the Cure hosted by ITU AbsorbTech in which all the proceeds go to The Max McGee National Research Center for Juvenile Diabetes at the Medical College of Wisconsin, as well as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) which goes to research to finding a cure. I have participated in the past by speaking at this event and sharing my story. I feel like I am able to help make an impact on many people with the money that’s raised at the event. It feels great to know I am doing something to help promote a cure. I’m filled with joy when I see how much the tournament has grown in the past three years and the amount of money it has raised for a cure.

I am very thankful for my grandfather and the Leef family for helping to raise money for T1D. Jim and David Leef held their first tournament in 2006 in honor of their father, George Leef, who passed away in 2007. George had been diagnosed with T1D in 1929, shortly after the discovery of insulin and lived with T1D for almost 80 years. My grandfather, Ken Sanders, was a professional baseball player and teamed up with the Leef family in 2016. He has helped grow the event into what it is today, especially with bringing in celebrity golfers.

Q: Tell us about what it’s like to manage diabetes while being a high school freshman.
A: I don’t notice diabetes as much as I thought I would when I started high school. It doesn’t interfere with most of the things I do. I can participate in the things I enjoy doing as a freshman, like rock climbing, soccer, and attend classes. People do their best to adjust, understand, and help. This goes for both teachers and fellow peers. I feel it is easier to manage my diabetes as a high school freshman because of the technology that is available to me, including my CGM and my MiniMed 670G insulin pump.

Q: As a high school athlete, how has technology helped you manage your diabetes?
A: My MiniMed 670G system definitely makes playing sports easier. My pump allows me to have a level of comfort, in which I don’t have to worry as much about my blood sugar. I can give 100% in my sport and worry less about my T1D. I know the pump is helping me manage my diabetes. My pump has made my life a whole lot easier and has made my experiences in sports less stressful.

Q: Tell us about your career aspirations?
A: Helping people holds a special place in my heart. Because of this, I want to help people with T1D in as many ways as I can. For this reason, I hope to become an endocrinologist one day. By pursuing this occupation, I will be able to help people like me who have T1D.

The testimonial above relates an account of an individual’s experience using a Medtronic device. The account is genuine, typical and documented. However, this individual’s experience does not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response or experience other people may have using the device. The experience other individuals have with the device could be different. Experiences can and do vary. Please talk to your doctor about your condition and the risks and benefits of Medtronic devices.

Important Safety Information

MINIMED 670G SYSTEM

The Medtronic MiniMed™ 670G system is intended for continuous delivery of basal insulin (at user selectable rates) and administration of insulin boluses (in user selectable amounts) for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons, seven years of age and older, requiring insulin as well as for the continuous monitoring and trending of glucose levels in the fluid under the skin. The MiniMed™ 670G system includes SmartGuard™ technology, which can be programmed to automatically adjust delivery of basal insulin based on Continuous Glucose Monitor sensor glucose values and can suspend delivery of insulin when the sensor glucose value falls below or is predicted to fall below predefined threshold values. The system requires a prescription. The Guardian™ Sensor (3) glucose values are not intended to be used directly for making therapy adjustments, but rather to provide an indication of when a fingerstick may be required. A confirmatory finger stick test via the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter is required prior to making adjustments to diabetes therapy. All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter and not on values provided by the Guardian™ Sensor (3). Always check the pump display to ensure the glucose result shown agrees with the glucose results shown on the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter. Do not calibrate your CGM device or calculate a bolus using a blood glucose meter result taken from an Alternative Site (palm) or from a control solution test. It is not recommended to calibrate your CGM device when sensor or blood glucose values are changing rapidly, e.g., following a meal or physical exercise. If a control solution test is out of range, please note that the result may be transmitted to your pump when in the “Always” send mode.

Pump therapy is not recommended for people whose vision or hearing does not allow recognition of pump signals and alarms. Pump therapy is not recommended for people who are unwilling or unable to maintain contact with their healthcare professional. The safety of the MiniMed™ 670G system has not been studied in pregnant women. For complete details of the system, including product and important safety information such as indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions associated with system and its components, please consult http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/important-safety-information#minimed-670g and the appropriate user guide at http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/download-library

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