Hi, I’m Sara Abbasian from Iran. I’ve been living with type 1 diabetes for about nine years. In the early days, I struggled with my mental well-being. I felt ashamed due to the widespread stigma and lack of awareness in my community. But with time, encouragement and knowledge, I transformed—and now I want to be that positive change for others.
Since 2020, I have worked as a nurse specialising in diabetes care. Through my clinical experience, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges caused by equipment shortages and limited understanding of diabetes among healthcare professionals. I communicate well and aim to lead a campaign to address these gaps.
With a strong academic background—medical and research coursework at university and a high‑scoring master’s thesis on diabetes—I regularly review the latest studies to stay informed. I also volunteer with the Gabric Diabetes Association and various student science groups, believing deeply in action and advocacy.
In Iran, about 5.5 million adults are living with diabetes, the third highest in the MENA region. Of these, nearly half are undiagnosed, missing out on early treatment. That’s thousands of lives lost to delayed care.
Because of these figures, I’m committed to achieving through leadership, compassion, and empowerment. Together, we can shine a light on diabetes and change the story for people living with it in Iran.
“I’ve been living with type 1 diabetes for about nine years. In the early days, I struggled with my mental well-being. I felt ashamed due to the widespread stigma and lack of awareness in my community. But with time, encouragement and knowledge, I transformed—and now I want to be that positive change for others.”