Before CGM data hit Apple Watches or official apps, Kate Farnsworth and a community of determined parents made it happen themselves. Labeled “helicopter parents” by companies Dexcom, they soldered devices, coded software, and launched Nightscout—the first way to view glucose data remotely. Kate went on to found the Looped Facebook group helping over 30,000 families build their own open-source insulin systems years before commercial AID pumps existed. In this episode, Kate shares how DIY innovation transformed her relationship with her daughter, pushed regulators like Health Canada to adapt, and ultimately led her to work inside medtech with Beta Bionics and Sequel MedTech (makers of the twiist pump). It’s the story of how passion, code, and community changed diabetes care forever.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your medical care team before making changes to your health care.

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How "Helicopter Parents" Pioneered CGM on Smartwatches Before Pharma