People living with Diabetes
The Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) plays a vital role in REDDIE, offering invaluable insights and perspectives of people living with or affected by diabetes. By sharing their experiences, the PAC ensures that REDDIE’s goals and approach remain closely aligned with the needs and priorities of the diabetes community. This collaboration helps guide the project to develop real-world evidence that genuinely reflects and supports patient-centred outcomes in diabetes care.
The REDDIE PAC works with researchers across the project and helps by:
1. Highlighting their perspective on research within all work packages
2. Advising on communication of results to the wider public
3. Helping disseminate information through PwD community networks
Bram Bekaert
Husband to a wife with T1D and father of a son with T1D, professor in forensic genetics, and patient expert for the Flemish Diabetes Society. Advocate for early screening of T1D in children. #nothingaboutuswithoutus
Dr. Goretti Mallorqui
Goretti holds a MSc degree in Science and Medical Communication and another in Diabetes Healthcare and Education as well as a PhD in Biochemistry. Goretti has T1D for 45 years, she is member of the Patient Advisory Network (PAN) of Medtronic for 5 years, part of the Participant Advisory Council (PAC) of Breakthrough T1D since May 2024 and Member of the Associació de Diabetis Catalunya (ADC) for 45 years.
Koen Marien
Koen is a bioscience engineer with a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences. Currently he works as a histoscientist in a CRO. He is a father of three sons of which one has a high genetic risk for type 1 diabetes. Koen has type 1 diabetes since he turned 21 years. He's a trained patient expert for the Flemish (Belgium) Diabetes Liga. He's interested in research and counting down to a cure.
Mariana Manita
Mariana was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 10 years old, she has been living with diabetes for 10 years now. Living with diabetes never held her back from pursuing her dreams. Currently, she is studying political science and international relations. She is deeply passionate about diabetes advocacy and aims to make a positive impact on the lives of others living with diabetes.
Peter Shorrick
Peter is Head of Midlands and East of England at Diabetes UK and has been at the Diabetes UK for over 25 years. He introduced numerous strategic initiatives contributing to improved health outcomes for people with diabetes. He set up the annual Diabetes in Pregnancy UK Conference for healthcare professionals, now the largest speciality diabetes in pregnancy conference in Europe. He also developed numerous patient education resources for all communities reaching over 60,000 people each year.
Kenneth Tait
Kenneth is deeply involved in diabetes advocacy, focusing on helping people and organizations understand the daily realities of living with diabetes within different projects. Ken is also dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding diabetes, particularly for those living with type 2.
Advancing Diabetes Care
The REDDIE Patient Advisory Committee is led by BreakthroughT1D as a valuable partner who focuses on improving the daily lives of people living with diabetes.