Going Global
Where you live currently determines whether you get a timely diagnosis, affordable insulin, and the right tools to manage diabetes. Across the world, people face this condition with vastly different systems and outcomes. We are here to change that by listening, collaborating, funding, and spotlighting work in the hardest-hit places.
We recently launched ‘The Beyond Type,’ an awareness campaign in India featuring everyday people thriving with type 1 diabetes. Our mission is to ensure anyone living with diabetes has the knowledge, support, and understanding they deserve.
India has the second-highest number of people with diabetes in the world
And that number is growing. But as need rises, too many people are still facing barriers: significant stigma, late diagnoses, limited access to care, and not enough access to insulin. The result? A condition that is manageable becomes life-threatening. The ripple effects strain health systems already stretched thin, making it harder for everyone to get the care they need
77
million people are living with diabetes in India today—the second-highest number in the world
134
million people in India are projected to be living with diabetes by 2045
57%
of people with diabetes in India remain undiagnosed
1 in 2
people diagnosed with diabetes in India face complications due to delayed diagnosis or inconsistent care
We’re Investing in India
Lasting change doesn’t come from top-down fixes. It comes from working alongside the people closest to the problem and leaving behind solutions that stick.
Across India, people are rewriting the story of what life with diabetes can look like. We’re proud to be part of that momentum by bringing our Beyond Barriers program to India—a global, community-powered initiative breaking through the silence, the stigmas, and the gaps in care.
From early detection to community-based programs that reimagine support, we’re investing in ideas that don’t just raise awareness—they create pathways to better care, stronger systems, and a future where thriving with diabetes feels possible.
Storytelling for Change
In partnership with The Moth, we brought together 15 people from across India for a storytelling workshop to explore how their lived experiences with diabetes could drive change. Now, as Beyond Type 1 Ambassadors, they’re sharing their stories in their own communities—creating a ripple effect that’s breaking stigma, shifting conversations, and inspiring others to seek the care they deserve.
Centering Local Leadership
We’ve established a Wisdom Council made up of youth advocates, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to help guide the diabetes response across India. In partnership with HRIDAY, UDAAN, Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation, Friends of Mewar, AIIMS, and others, the council will convene to align on shared goals, strengthen each other’s work, and shape strategies that reflect the lived realities of the communities we serve.
Early Detection Awareness
Our early detection awareness campaign is hitting the ground in India—built with and for young people and rooted in real stories. In partnership with local organizations, we’re raising awareness of the warning signs of type 1 diabetes and helping more people get diagnosed safer and earlier. At the center: real journeys from diagnosis to care, with clear messages that connect awareness to action. This pilot is modeled on our viral #SeetheSigns campaign first brought to life in the U.S.
Backing Community-Led Solutions
We’re providing grants to grassroots organizations across India, backing initiatives that meet real needs on the ground. From school-based education and digital campaigns to direct support for girls with type 1 diabetes, these are solutions designed by communities, for communities—and they’re built to last. Meet the first round of grantees below—each advancing solutions rooted in their own communities.