Finlay
The series of events that led up to his diagnosis was a scary time for Finn's family. In a matter of weeks, they witnessed their little boy go from a healthy happy kid, to a child that was potentially fighting for his life.
A phone call that changed their lives forever was one from the hospital and the request was clear – Finlay is very sick and needs to get to the hospital quickly.
At the Hospital Emergency Department, Finlay was taken through a series of tests. Three hours later the diagnosis came in, Finlay was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes. If it had been 24-48 hours later, Finlay could have been fighting for his life.
A week’s stay in the hospital was required to stabilise him and teach his family how they needed to look after him.
Finlay’s day-to-day life is a constant routine of monitoring, calculating and balancing with the help of an insulin pump, but this does not stop Finlay from having fun. Those who know Finlay describe him as an absolute trooper, who takes everything in his stride.
Finlay is a happy boy who is filled with joy and cheek, his greatest love is football – he is incredibly passionate about it and doesn’t let type-1 diabetes hold him back. When not in football mode he spends time with his mates and dog or hanging with family including his brother Jack and sister Lily.
Other special ambassadors
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PaigePaige was born on December 6, 2021, entering the world prematurely at just 23 weeks and 4 days gestation, and weighing a tiny 525 grams
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LuccaLucca was diagnosed with an extremely rare and highly aggressive cancer called Epethelioid Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Sarcoma when she was just 16 months old.
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SophieA urine test showed glucose, and a subsequent finger prick blood test showed elevated blood glucose.
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RichieHe had a persistent cough, had lost weight and become so lethargic he was short of breath even when lying flat on a bed.
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MelaMela is diagnosed with an incredibly rare condition called Moebius syndrome
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KaseKase lives with cystic fibrosis, a condition is typically detected at birth, but Kase was diagnosed at 8.
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JeremyBorn at 29 weeks and 5 days, Jeremy is one of the approximately 700 babies born preterm each year.
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JaideJaide lives with chronic asthma and type-1 diabetes.
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JacksonJackson had a tumour the size of a tennis ball attached to his optic nerve.
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HunterHunter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after his family noticed he was always thirsty and that his moods had changed.
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FinnFinn was diagnosed with hypoplastic right heart, when his mother was 20 weeks pregnant.
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FinlayFinlay was diagnosed with type -1 diabetes at three-years-old.
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IsabellaBella was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at her Mothers 27-week anatomy scan
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EvaEva was born with only half a diaphragm after suffering a diaphragmatic hernia during fetal development.
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CorinCorin lives with a very rare genetic heart condition
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ChloeOur gorgeous little ambassador Chloe has suffered respiratory issues since she was an infant.
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BrookeAt six years old, Brooke was diagnosed with gelastic seizures.
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BraydenIn 2009, Brayden was cooking noodles when his t-shirt caught fire from the stove element. He received burns to 45 percent of his body.
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BenBenjamin was diagnosed with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele and Hydrocephalus at his Mum Catherine’s 20-week antenatal anatomy scan.
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Amelia & GraceTwins Grace and Amelia were born prematurely at 27 weeks. They have extreme chronic lung disease and Grace had her first open heart bypass surgery at 8 weeks of age.
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AddisonAddison was diagnosed with a staph infection, which caused damage to her heart.
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Matt JohnsonMeet Matt Johnson, a former midfielder for the Blues rugby team. Matt had rheumatic fever when he was 13 and has been experiencing severe heart problems ever since.
