When her daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just eight years old, Kate Farnsworth wanted more than fingersticks, sleepless nights, and constant worry. Living in Canada, where early continuous glucose monitors(CGMs) weren’t yet available, she searched for a better way and found it in a small online community of parents and engineers creating their own tools. That discovery led her to Nightscout, the project that first made it possible to see glucose data remotely, and into the heart of the “We Are Not Waiting” movement.

Kate soon became a leader in the space. She taught herself to code to improve glucose displays on the Pebble Watch, hosted soldering nights to help families build wireless transmitters, and co-founded the Looped Facebook group, now home to tens of thousands of users worldwide. Partnering with the late Katie DiSimone, she helped create LoopDocs, the friendly, accessible guide that made DIY Loop possible.

Her advocacy reached healthcare and industry alike. Kate co-authored a Canadian position paper supporting clinicians who help patients use open-source tools, and later brought her community insight to Beta Bionics and now Sequel MedTech, makers of the twiist insulin pump, a commercial system built on the FDA-cleared version of Loop’s algorithm.

Listen to our episode with Kate Farnsworth above and watch the full conversation in video below to hear how one parent’s determination helped transform diabetes care and why the “We Are Not Waiting” spirit still drives innovation today.

Disclaimer: Diabetech content is not medical advice—it’s for educational purposes only. Always consult with a physician before making changes to your healthcare.