Latest edition of diabetes comic book series published on World Diabetes Day
A new comic book aimed at supporting people with type 1 diabetes has been released on World Diabetes Day.
Awake and Pumped is the sixth volume of the series of freely downloadable comics developed by Dr Mayank Patel, of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) and Professor Partha Kar, of Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, supported by individuals living with type 1 diabetes and Revolve Comics.
The comics have been developed to help those with type 1 diabetes, raise awareness and challenge misconceptions.
Type 1 diabetes, which often develops before the age of 40, occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin to regulate the level of sugar in the blood, known as blood glucose.
Too much glucose can lead to organ damage and, as there is currently no cure, patients are required to take insulin on a daily basis and encouraged to make healthy lifestyle choices such as reducing sugar in their diets and not smoking.
Awake and Pumped follows the story of Aiko, a young girl diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after screening, who has her own imaginary perspective on how wearable diabetes technology could help her. As the comic progresses, she defends her home city from hostile forces, which are metaphors for themes in type 1 diabetes such as insulin deficiency and high blood glucose.
Dr Patel, consultant in adult diabetes at UHS, said: “These Type 1 comics have always been inspired by popular culture visuals and themes, such as from Marvel, to create stories and use analogies within which key clinical and educational information is also translated.”
“Recent years have seen a rise in the use of wearable diabetes technology and there has also been more screening for type 1 diabetes. It is these two themes, inspired by the movies Tron, Blade Runner and The Matrix, that have informed the story for Awake and Pumped.
“A key message for all the comics is that no one should feel alone with type 1 diabetes, support is always available.
Professor Partha Kar, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said: “Being able to support patients who are living with type 1 diabetes is really important, especially when they are diagnosed at an early age.
“We hope that the stories we have shared in the comics will help people feel more confident and supported to manage their condition.”
Since 2015 Dr Patel and Dr Kar have collaborated with individuals living with type 1 diabetes to share their real world lived experience through the medium of comic books. Across several volumes to date, aimed at the wider public, patients and healthcare professionals and in collaboration with Revolve Comics, they aim to inform, help and demystify type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 comics have been globally downloaded and have also inspired a culturally tailored version created by the Diabetes Foundation in India.
Awake and Pumped will be available to download from Friday, 14 November at www.revolvecomics.com