Choosing an Insulin Pump: The Real-World Pros and Cons

Choosing an insulin pump can feel like a big decision. For some people, the question is whether to go on a pump at all. For others, it’s whether their current system is still the right fit, or whether another option might suit them better.

The first in our T1D Xtra series, this event is designed to help you think through those questions with honest, practical input from people who've made those decisions and used those devices. You'll hear what works well, what can be frustrating, what matters in day-to-day life, and what kinds of preferences or lifestyles different systems may suit.

Headlining the event will be Drew Harrisberg (from Drew's Daily Dose) who, after years on injections, has recently made the move to pump therapy. Drew will share what held him back, what changed his mind, and what pumping has been like so far.

There will be plenty of time for Q&A, so you can ask the questions that actually matter to you, not just the ones that usually get covered in brochures.

An A-Class Online Experience

This event is designed from the ground up to make those watching at home feel like part of the conversation.

You’ll be able to ask questions throughout the session using our digital Q&A system, and up-vote the questions you most want answered. So instead of the presenters sticking to a script, they'll go with the flow – whatever the audience actually wants to know!

Attend online or join the watch party

You can join this event online from anywhere, or attend in person at one of our Watch Parties. These are a chance to enjoy the event alongside others in the community, with some extra connection, conversation... and nibbles!

We'll be hosting them in the following locations:

The Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre (Stirling)

• Arrive at 3:30pm for nibbles

• Watch the live stream together from 4–5:30pm

• Chat with Dr Hancock, Brenda Moore and Carly Green in person after the live stream.

Bunbury (Bayview Bar)

• Arrive at 3:30pm; order your own food and drinks from the bar

• Watch the live stream together from 4–5:30pm

Margaret River (location TBA)

We'll update this page with details for the Bunbury and Margaret River locations soon, and contact those in the area based on postcodes provided at registration.

If you’d like to organise your own watch party with friends or others in your local area, get in touch. We’d love to help.

Who is this event for?

This event is for:

• people thinking about starting on a pump

• people currently on injections who want to better understand their options

• people already using a pump who are curious about other systems

• anyone who wants a clearer, more practical sense of the pros and cons of the systems currently available

Meet the panel

Drew Harrisberg

Dr Michael Hancock

Brenda Moore

Carly Green

Drew Harrisberg

Drew is a well-known voice in the type 1 community and the creator of Drew’s Daily Dose. After years on injections, he has recently transitioned to pump therapy and will share what led to that decision, along with his reflections on making the change. He currently uses the MiniMed 780G pump.

Dr Michael Hancock

Dr Hancock is an endocrinologist who lives with type 1 diabetes himself. He has a strong interest in diabetes technology, including insulin pumps, CGM and automated insulin delivery, and brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to the conversation. He currently uses the Ypsomed pump with CamAPS FX.

Brenda Moore

Brenda Moore is a registered nurse and diabetes educator, and currently works as the Diabetes Technology Coordinator at Royal Perth Hospital. She lives with type 1 diabetes and brings hands-on experience across multiple systems, including Omnipod DASH, Tandem t:slim, and open-source looping.

Carly Green

Carly Green is the Community Experience Lead at the Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre and will be the MC for this event. She has lived with type 1 for 8 years and has experience with injections, the Tandem t:slim, and Omnipod 5. Carly will help guide the conversation and make sure the audience’s questions are at the centre of the session.

What you’ll take away

By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer sense of:

• what the different pump systems are like in real life

• which features are most important to you

• what the move from injections to pump therapy actually involves

• what questions to ask your diabetes team to help make your final decision

Whether you’re seriously considering a pump, weighing up a switch, or just want a better understanding of the options, this event is designed to help you make a more informed decision.

You can select whether you will attend online or in person when you complete the registration form.

Live Viewing and Local Connection

Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we know the power of talking with people who get what you're going through. So if you're in Perth, we warmly invite you to attend in-person at the Family Centre to watch and participate in the event. We'll serve substantial nibbles, tea and coffee, and gather around the a big screen to watch the live stream. After the session, you'll have the opportunity to speak with Dr Hancock, Brenda and Carly.