Thriveabetes 2026, Ireland’s only volunteer-led national Type 1 Diabetes conference, is organised by volunteers from across the country. Galway has a significant presence at this year’s Thriveabetes conference, with both speakers and volunteers contributing lived experience, advocacy and professional expertise.
The event takes place on Saturday, 18 April 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport, Northwood. The conference will feature educational talks, panel discussions, opportunities to meet others living with the condition, and access to the latest diabetes technologies and devices.
Tickets available at www.Thriveabetes.ie Philip Short, a Galway-based Musical Director and founder of Loughrea Youth Theatre, works with young people aged 6–18 teaching acting, singing and dancing. His son Theo was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age seven, over 13 years ago. Philip brings a parent’s perspective to the conference, shaped by over a decade of supporting a child navigating school, sport, and adolescence while living with diabetes.
Cameron Keighron, originally from Sligo but living in Galway for many years, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 15, fifteen years ago. Cameron is currently a Project Coordinator with the International Diabetes Federation Europe and has spent over a decade working on research, advocacy, and initiatives to improve healthcare access for young people across Ireland and Europe.
They are particularly passionate about improving access to sport and physical activity for people living with diabetes. Also contributing from Galway is Philip’s wife, Paula Short, a Psychotherapist and experienced group facilitator with more than twenty years in practice. Paula holds a Master of Arts in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Bachelor of Science (Hons ) in the same field.
Her professional work took on profound personal significance when her son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age seven, thirteen years ago. Paula speaks openly about the emotional and psychological adjustments families must navigate following diagnosis, highlighting the mental, emotional and physical demands placed on parents and children alike.
Together, these Galway contributors reflect the community-led nature of Thriveabetes — combining personal experience, professional expertise and long-term commitment to improving quality of life for those living with Type 1 Diabetes. Approximately 30,000 people in Ireland live with Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune condition that requires individuals to take insulin multiple times every day through injections or an insulin pump because their pancreas produces little or no insulin. It also involved monitoring glucose, activity levels and ongoing education. This year’s programme combines lived experience with clinical and professional expertise, featuring speakers including:
Pete Davies (UK ) – living with type 1 diabetes for over 69 years (Keynote ) sharing a lifetime of insight into long-term self-management
Beth McDaniel & Ellen Watson (The Diabetic Duo ). TikTok creators with nearly 30,000 followers and over 40 million views, blending fashion, humour and honesty about life with diabetes.
Dr Ahmed Iqbal – Senior Clinical Lecturer & Honorary Consultant in Diabetes, University of Sheffield
Dr Cathy Breen – Registered Dietitian, DAFNE Educator, National Clinical Programme for Diabetes
Anne Marie Frohock – Lead Paediatric Diabetes Dietitian, EXercise with Type One Diabetes (EXTOD ) Chair
Tim Street, DiabetTech Founder
Paula Short – Psychotherapist and parent of a now adult with type 1 diabetes
Cameron Keighron – Project Coordinator, IDF Europe
Jean Langford – Senior Diabetes Peer Support Worker NHS Scotland and advocate
Why this matters! Many adults with Type 1 Diabetes report never having met another person with the condition. Thriveabetes exists to change that. The 2026 conference will welcome over 200 attendees for a day of connection, psychological support, shared lived experience and access to the latest technologies, including insulin pumps, CGMs and automated systems.
“Bringing these speakers to Dublin is a milestone,” says co-founder Gráinne Flynn, diagnosed over 30 years ago. “Hearing from someone who has lived with Type 1 for nearly seven decades, alongside two young women redefining visibility online is so powerful.” Thriveabetes continues to offer what many attendees say they struggle to find elsewhere: shared experience, understanding, emotional support and space to talk openly about life with Type 1 Diabetes.
Thriveabetes takes place on Saturday, 18th April, in The Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport Hotel, Northwood and includes exhibition area featuring companies supplying diabetes technology, devices and supports. For more information, contact [email protected]. Tickets are available from: www.Thriveabetes.ie Further speaker announcements will follow in the coming weeks.
