November 15, 2023 by Hilary Jenison (courtesy photos)
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Boston Children’s Hospital has joined forces with the Lillylulu Foundation (www.lillylulufoundation.org). The Lillylulu Foundation was founded by two Hingham residents, Lilly Lashar, a T1D patient herself, and her father, John Lashar. Michele Friedman, a Hingham resident and fun fact, Graphic Designer of the Anchor logo, also serves on the Board of Directors for the Foundation. This innovative alliance aims to address disparities in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) care through the establishment of the Lillylulu Fund for T1D at Boston Children’s Hospital, fueled by a generous initial donation of $250,000 from the foundation.
The partnership comes as a response to recent studies revealing concerning racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in the use of diabetes technology, particularly among non-white children in the United States. Advanced technologies such as Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and hybrid closed-loop devices have inadvertently widened existing health equity gaps. In an effort to rectify these discrepancies, the Lillylulu Fund for T1D will have an immediate impact on underserved families and improve health outcomes for children with T1D.
The Lillylulu Fund for T1D is set to support a dedicated diabetes resource nurse, providing patients with crucial access to and education on T1D care and technology. This initiative also aims to implement innovative processes for proactive outreach to high-risk families, marking a significant step towards closing the gap in diabetes care.
Dr. Kate Garvey, Director of Boston Children’s Diabetes Program, expresses her excitement about the transformative support from the Lillylulu Foundation. She sees this as a game-changer for their program and families, emphasizing the potential to even the playing field for outcomes, integrate emerging therapies, and keep healthcare disparities at the forefront.
Lilly Lashar, Co-Founder of the Lillylulu Foundation and a T1D patient herself, emphasizes the importance of expanding access to elite care and technology for everyone battling this relentless disease. Lack of adequate care can lead to severe health issues, reduced life expectancy, and, in some cases, fatalities. The collaboration between the foundation and Boston Children’s Hospital signifies a crucial first step in achieving greater access and equity in T1D care.
John Lashar, Co-Founder and President of the Lillylulu Foundation, attributes this pioneering partnership to private donations and the success of The Monomoy Shootout, Fishing for a Cure event, which raised over $600,000 net for the foundation. He underscores the foundation’s commitment to harnessing the goodness of people, making a direct impact, and addressing a need that should be avoidable in today’s world through basic healthcare, insurance coverage, and policy.
The Lillylulu Foundation Fund for T1D at Boston Children’s Hospital will empower the diabetes team to focus on innovative care approaches, supporting device use, and uplifting patients facing significant barriers due to poor social determinants of health. Beyond its immediate impact, this partnership aspires to serve as a model for other programs and institutions, fostering the integration of new technologies and care to benefit all and eliminate existing inequity gaps.
This pioneering collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the fight against T1D. Boston Children’s Hospital and the Lillylulu Foundation, driven by a shared commitment to accessibility, equity, and advancement in diabetes care, are poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by this challenging disease.
Proud to see this effort succeeding. Wonderful also to see Lilly thriving and living a full and healthy life with T1D, just like my own daughter, diagnosed at age 8 over 13 years ago. We celebrate those blessings every day. Congratulations!