Daniel Gilada

Daniel Gilada was leading a normal life for many years until he was diagnosed with acute onset type 1 diabetes at age 18.

As a high school athlete with aspirations to pursue a career in medicine, he was shocked by the implications this sudden diagnosis would have on his life. Now age 37, Daniel is a practicing cardiologist whose days are busy seeing patients and taking care of his family of three young children, with another on the way. Daniel fought to control his disease, but over the past several years his glucose levels were fluctuating dramatically making the responsibilities of his busy life more and more difficult to navigate.

“I was constantly planning work, the kids’ soccer practice, coaching, church, everything around my diabetes. Always asking myself, ‘Do I have my insulin? My cooler for the insulin? Will my sugar spike or crash today?’

“My diabetes was a constant burden and impacted every aspect of my day from the time I woke up to going to sleep. It was overwhelming.”

Daniel would have days where he felt awful and nauseous, and even with high blood sugar he would need to somehow get through long days of hospital rounds and 25 patient visits. In addition to health challenges, he has suffered bouts of depression – losing hope about his health and worrying about being alive and healthy for his young family. One day Daniel finally decided that he couldn’t keep living like this.

He researched his options and decided to participate in an investigator-led islet transplant clinical trial.

Daniel’s biggest advice for others living with type 1 diabetes is don’t be afraid to ask for help. “It is lonely and hard to do it on your own. It was hard for me to ask for help even though I was struggling. Surround yourself with people who care and who can help.”