Over a 150 participants joined the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF on Sunday (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Province’s decision to halt discontinuation of insulin pump program, a ‘great step’ says mom of Type 1 diabetic

May 15, 2022 | 6:52 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat parents of children living with Type 1 diabetes are breathing a sigh of relief for now, following an announcement by the province that they will be halting the discontinuation of the insulin pump therapy program. The back-tracking by the province arose after mounds of public outcry.

Miranda Richardson-Ruether has a 10-year-old son living with Type 1 diabetes since his diagnosis five years ago.

“It’s a great step. I’m really proud of all the advocacy that has gone on in Alberta to put a stop to that,” she said.

Last week, the province said the pause was to allow for greater consultation, but Richardson-Ruether hopes the proposed cuts are off the table for good.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

3h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

“Without the pump daily living would be almost impossible for us. We were previously on 12 injections a day. So having a pump where we can give him small amounts of insulin every half hour, instead of an injection is a huge deal for our family, ” she said.

According to Richardson- Ruether, the average cost of a pump ranges between $5,000 to $7,000, and that’s not including the cost of test strips, insulin, and other supplies, a hefty cost she said, that is too tough for families to bear.

“There are a lot of families in Alberta that don’t know how they are going to pay for it if it stops, and then what do they do next?” she said.

The province previously said discontinuing the program would mean those who didn’t qualify as low income would need to find a government-sponsored health benefit plan like Blue Cross if they did not have employer or private insurance.

Richardson-Ruether was one of many parents at the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF on Sunday. The 5K walk raised approximately $20,000 for the foundation.