Donna Meads Barlow is one of our colleagues in the industry of whom we admire for all she has brought and is still giving to the Travel Industry through her expertise and reputation.  Donna is an inspiration as she has turned a personal tragedy around to helping people who are going through the same challenges with Diabetes 1 as her family has experienced.  Danii Meads-Barlow  Foundation was formed to raise money to supply a new devise to families with Diabetes 1, with the intention of making their life that little more bearable as patients and carers alike.

Donna and Brian Meads Barlow, were parents to Daniella Louise Meads Barlow, who was their beautiful daughter, diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 5 and died in her first week of starting HSC at just 17 years of age.  

When Danii's Endocrinologist – came to examine her and sign her death certificate he said to Donna and Brian, “you know there is technology in other parts of the world that would have saved Daniella's Life” 

That was the day Brian and Donna set up “The DANII Meads-Barlow Foundation” Determined to make a DIFFERENCE – (In Danii's Legacy). 

Danii was an amazing young lady, not just because she was Brian and Donnas' daughter but because as a youngster that had grown up with managing Diabetes – children have to grow up quicker and have so much more responsibility at such a young age.  As parents, carers and friends we all need to acknowledge their journey and courage.

The DANII Meads-Barlow Foundation's aim is simple and focused “to bring to Australia and around the globe, suitable technology that will alert parents and carers when their loved one is approaching emergency hypoglycemia”.  To prevent what is known today as “Dead in Bed Syndrome”.  Unfortunately before Danii passed Donna and Brian were not aware of Dead in Bed, hence their determination that no other family or friend is ever in this position in the future if it can be avoided.

In just 18 months since the inception of the DANII Foundation, with the help of many, they have raised over ½ Million dollars.   This makes DANII Mead Barlow Foundation one of the fastest growing charities in Australia, supported heavily by colleagues within the Travel Industry.

So far, the Foundation has provided around 50 young Australians at high risk, with a device using a subsidized program funded by the DANII Foundation.  Sadly that device called Hypomon has now been voluntarily recalled because of lack of funds in Australia to develop it further. 

The DANII Meads- Barlow Foundation is currently working closely with commercial organizations to ensure that continuous blood glucose monitoring, insulin pumps and alarm devices that communicate with mobile phones become available in Australia as soon as they are ready for market. 

The DANII Meads-Barlow Foundation aim's is to lobby government to get firefly, and CGM Alarm technology systems supported in Australia as THEY CAN SAVE LIVES!

As one of the largest fund raising events of each year the “Danii Meads-Barlow Jelly Bean Ball” has in the past two years been an event everyone has in their diary to attend.   The support that has been given, in particular from the Travel Industry, has been invaluable and ongoing contributing to the increase in funds the Foundation is raising for this good cause, by not only attending the ball but also contributing with donations of auction items for the evening.

This years' event is coming around quick so don't miss out book that seat or table at the Ball as it is definitely one event you can't miss.  Imagine attending an event that is going to help our fellow colleagues so much as there is a large percent within the Travel Industry who have diabetes, or are in contact with someone who has diabetes or in fact have family members they are caring for right now.

All details for the Ball are set out below for your information and if in the interim we can assist you with any enquiries as to how to be more involved in this great Foundation please contact Donna Meads-Barlow direct on 02 9888 555.