Living with Type 1 for 39 Years: One Patient's Path to Vertex's Islet Transplant Trial

Patti Columbe was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in October 1986. Over her nearly 39 years living with the condition, she has used virtually every diabetes management tool available: insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), injected insulin, and even inhaled insulin formulations.

Despite these advances, Patti faced persistent challenges. Low blood sugar episodes were a constant worry, and the mental burden of managing a disease that requires attention 24/7 took a toll. She recalls being the child at diabetes camp who needed a glucagon injection in the middle of the night—a vivid reminder of how unpredictable and demanding Type 1 can be.

Among Patti's management tools is Otto, her trained diabetic alert dog. Otto's role goes beyond standard pet companionship. The service dog has developed the remarkable ability to sense changes in Patti's blood sugar levels, often alerting her to lows approximately 20 minutes before her CGM alarm would sound.

This early warning system has proven consistently reliable for Patti, giving her crucial time to take action before a low blood sugar event becomes dangerous. Otto represents how some people living with Type 1 combine technology, medication, and innovative support systems in their daily management.

With nearly four decades of experience managing Type 1 diabetes, Patti became aware of islet transplantation—a different approach to treating Type 1 that aims to restore insulin production rather than manage blood sugar after the fact.

Her knowledge and long experience with the disease led her to pursue enrollment in Vertex Pharmaceuticals' pivotal clinical trial for zimislecel, a manufactured islet therapy. This trial represents one of the most significant developments in Type 1 diabetes research, exploring whether engineered islets could help reduce or eliminate the need for constant glucose monitoring and insulin administration.

Patti's decision to participate reflects a shift in how some long-term diabetes patients view the future—not as indefinite management of a chronic condition, but as a potential path toward a different quality of life.

Patti's experience and perspective are her own. As a participant in this landmark trial, her views and experiences do not represent those of other trial participants, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, or the broader Type 1 diabetes community. Clinical trials involve diverse participants with different medical histories, outcomes, and responses to treatment.

Her willingness to share her story, however, offers a window into why some people living with Type 1 diabetes are willing to explore emerging therapies—and the weight of managing this disease, even with modern tools at hand.

Origin: breakthrought1d.org (News report). Evidence: News report — unverified, pending corroboration. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.