THE CHALLENGERS DINNER: A night to remember

With a star-studded lineup of speakers, a delicious menu, and an exciting fundraising auction, everyone knew the Diabetes Challengers Dinner would be the perfect end to Diabetes Awareness month. However, it surpassed all expectations when it raised close to $500,000 for people living with diabetes.

Held in Auckland’s Shed 10 on Wednesday 2 December, the Barfoot & Thompson and Diabetes NZ Auckland Branch Gala Fundraising Dinner was billed as a sparkling black-tie affair. The 750 tickets sold out well before the night, and no wonder.

Special guests included the three skippers from the 2020 America's Cup – Sir Ben Ainslie, Dean Barker, and Jimmy Spithill. Well known yachting broadcaster Martin Tasker interviewed them, making for a fascinating panel discussion.

Also in attendance were sporting celebrities Dan Carter, Dame Valerie Adams, Rob Waddell, Lisa Carrington, and Eliza McCartney – to name a few. Kerre McIvor was our energetic and inspiring MC.

However, everyone agreed that the star of the night was 10-year-old Eden Iona, who spoke about her journey with type 1 diabetes. There were certainly some tears shed as she described her diagnosis at age 8 and how it had turned her and her family’s life upside down forever. When she finished, she received a standing ovation.

BIDDING FOR TREASURES

The stand-out live auction items had to be the chase boats. We thought we had three to auction: Luna Rosa Parda Pirelli, Ineso Team UK, and NYYC American Magic. These set the bidding alight. There were a few laughs as well, especially when Jimmy Spithill got a dig in at Dean Barker and Sir Ben Ainslie, suggesting you'd be in for hotdogs and warm beer on their chase boats, rather than the exquisite fine dining of the Italian team.

During the bidding, we were unexpectedly donated a fourth chase boat – for Emirates Team New Zealand. By now, the room was electric. This became the item with the highest bidding – raising $35,000.

Diabetes NZ CEO Heather Verry says, “We received some incredibly generous donations for our live auction, which will go towards supporting kids and adults living with diabetes and digital programmes to prevent the onset of diabetes.”

Those digital programmes will include new interactive learning and online programmes suited to different cultures and languages. The new digital tools will reach thousands more and change the lives of those living with diabetes, as well as those at risk.

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors for the night: Platinum: Barfoot & Thompson / Gold: AIA Insurance, ASB, Forsyth Barr, and Giltrap Group / Silver: Westpac, Forsyth Barr, Golf Warehouse, and Lindsay Foundation

A star is born: Eden Iona

For 10-year-old Eden Iona, the star speaker at the Challengers Dinner, the night was full of highlights: “It was exciting meeting the celebrities like Daniel Carter, Sophie Pascoe and Rob Waddell – he's so tall!” However, what she enjoyed most was “being able to spread awareness about type 1 diabetes and raising money for Diabetes New Zealand.”

Looking back at what she thinks made the biggest impact on the audience, “I spoke about how getting diagnosed wasn't my fault and how there's no cure … but more importantly about how it doesn't stop me from doing what I love, like sport, even with all my finger pricks and insulin injections.”

Eden has always enjoyed public speaking and found it exciting, but, when it comes to talking about diabetes, she says, “I didn't realise sharing my story was helpful until after I spoke at a diabetes fundraiser lunch in 2019.

“My parents shared it on their social media, and family and friends were fascinated about my story. They never realised how serious type 1 diabetes is and how it affects so many children. So that was really important to me – that more people know.”

Eden is inspired to do more speaking if she gets the chance. “I think about other kids like me who are struggling with their diabetes like I did in the beginning, and hopefully me talking about it lets them know that they’re not alone and we are all awesome.”

Meanwhile, she has plenty of other interests. At school, she loves to “read and write adventurous narratives”. Outside of school, she enjoys “hanging out with family, swimming, going on road trips, and playing sport”. She’s represented her school in swimming, netball, rugby, cross-country, and waka ama. “Waka ama is so fun. I love being part of a team and being out on the water and keeping fit.”

I've had type 1 diabetes for two years now, and I'm still my fabulous self.

I've had type 1 diabetes for two years now, and I'm still my fabulous self. I have my good days and bad days, but have learnt to take each day as it comes. I have to remember that I'm so much more than my highs and lows. My routine is different compared to others my age, and I have to be a lot more organised ... But do you know what, ladies and gentlemen? Type 1 diabetes can't stop me. Diabetes is always with me and always something that I have to be aware of. But it doesn't control what I do. I may have type 1 diabetes, but type 1 diabetes doesn't have me. — Eden Ioana, Challengers Dinner speech, 2020.