Pay it Forward: Dexcom U Athletes Mentor Next Generation with Diabetes
As a starting forward for the University of Louisville soccer team and a steeplechaser for its track and field team, 22-year-old Amber Jackson lives seemingly in a perpetual state of motion. But perhaps one of her best stand-out moments in sports this year came when she took a time out to mentor two athletes at the 2024 Dexcom U Sports Camp for young kids living with diabetes in San Diego.
The Janesville, California, native was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 7 and now manages with the Dexcom G7 and Omnipod® 5 insulin pump. She joined Dexcom U in 2023 and discovered a supportive community of other athletes who compete at the highest levels while managing their diabetes. She realized that was the team she needed.
“After years of kind of managing without a community of others with diabetes, it got very individualistic for me,” she said. “I felt like no one else knew what diabetes is. But in Dexcom U, I found so many others who know and I can talk to. We now have a group chat of Dexcom U athletes, and at least once a month I'll jump in and ask maybe which insulin is better? Or, who's on this system? And a few people have already tried to figure out different NCAA initiatives we could do, games and stuff like that.”
Sharing knowledge, building confidence
Inspired to pass along her newfound Dexcom U wisdom to a younger generation of athletes living with diabetes, she became a mentor for 12-year-old John and 13-year-old Jacob at the camp. They played sports together, and they asked her about how she manages her Type 1 diabetes while competing in Division 1 college sports. Beyond fueling up during games, she offered pointers about Dexcom CGM and the advantages of trainers having the ability to continuously monitor her glucose levels via smartphone* while she is on the pitch.
After the camp ended, she took the relationship with her mentees into overtime, getting permission from John and Jacob’s
families to stay in touch particularly about the mental struggles that go along with playing sports while managing diabetes.
“I understand diabetes can be hard mentally,” Amber said. “So, if they ever need to rant, I’m here. It might not be big for them yet at their age, because when I was young, diabetes wasn't a huge mental thing for me. It was like, it's there, but let's go play soccer! Then as I got older, it kind of just built up. So, I just wanted to create an outlet for them, that if they ever wanted to rant about diabetes, I could listen and be supportive.”
The boys’ families are grateful for Amber’s time and support.
“He had such a blast and was really inspired by the athletes at camp,” John’s family said. “He now hopes to be a mentor someday! Thanks again for the opportunity and the support of kids learning to navigate diabetes."
Channeling what she learned from her Dexcom U peers, she wants her actions on and off the playing field to always inspire her mentees.
“I know everyone has something they deal with, but being able to step back and see these guys do it day in day out and they're
still killing it on the field,” Amber said. “That's what the peers do for me as a mentee. From a mentor perspective, when I talk to these guys, I want to be able to say that I did it, or that at least I tried and didn't just walk away because I thought it wouldn't work out, would be too hard or diabetes wouldn't let me do it. I'm going to try. And if it doesn't work, then I’ll give it my best effort.”
Dexcom and Amber make great teammates
Nothing less than a best effort is acceptable in college sports, and Amber has used her Dexcom G7 to gain every advantage she can over her diabetes.
“I wouldn’t be able to do the things I do without my Dexcom CGM,” she said. “I had goals and I had to achieve them, and without knowing my instant trends I would not be able to sustain my long runs or prepare for a soccer match. Dexcom
is a game changer."
She recently switched to the Dexcom G7 and, among other things, appreciates its sleeker profile.
“It stays on better during competition, maybe because it’s thinner and smaller,” she said. “I can easily tape around it, because I’m an excessive sweater. I just put on an extra wrap and it’s perfect. I love the 10-day wear time. And the faster warm-up† time blows my mind! Whenever I need to replace
a sensor, it's much quicker to get back on track.”
Using smartphone connectivity*, she allows her trainer to monitor her numbers so she can stay focused on the game.
“It’s incredible,” Amber said. “Everything’s on the phone, and
I keep it with me during warm-up so I can see my starting numbers. If at some point in time I need a snack or something, I’ll just grab some gummies and trade it with the trainer for the phone, which is clutch. She can watch the numbers while play.”
Excelling off the field
“I went to U of L for its Exercise and Exercise Physiology Master's program with the hopes of understanding diabetes a bit better,”
she said. “Novak deals with diabetes research, and that's always been a huge interest of mine. My long-term goal is to be a diabetes educator. But I came to realize it's a very niche field. So, I chose nursing because it keeps my options open. And I would eventually like
to work with underrepresented, undereducated areas.”
With her master’s nearly complete, she looks forward to what this soccer season will bring. But for the athlete in perpetual motion, she now plans to slow things down for a change.
“Opposite of what’s typical for me, this year I am just trying to relax and take one day at a time,” Amber said. “I’m trying to figure out how to live a manageable life, diabetes-wise, school-wise, work-wise and sports-wise. Not worry about goals and accomplishments as much, because that's all my college and high school has been. Maybe ‘efficient’ is a good word? I've been trying to focus on instead of try, try, try and working hard, also working where I need to and then enjoying all the rest I can.”
Whether on the soccer pitch, classroom or life’s unpredictable game, Amber proves that with the right support and technology, there are no boundaries on what she can, and will, achieve.
Get started on Dexcom G7
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes and are not using CGM, talk to a doctor about Dexcom G7. We can help you get started with a free benefits check. Fill out a quick form to send us some basic information and we’ll take it from there.
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NEW! Dexcom G7 Direct to Apple Watch: Manage Diabetes Hands-Free
Dexcom G7 is the first and only continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to connect directly to Apple Watch*, allowing for unmatched freedom and convenience in your CGM experience. Leave your iPhone behind and manage diabetes hands free†.
*Smart device sold separately. To view a list of compatible devices, visit dexcom.com/compatibility. †Dexcom G7 can complete warmup within 30 minutes, whereas other CGM brands require up to an hour or longer
BRIEF SAFETY STATEMENT: Failure to use the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System and its components according to the instructions for use provided with your device and available at https://www.dexcom.com/safety-information and to properly consider all indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and cautions in those instructions for use may result in you missing a severe hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) or hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) occurrence and/or making a treatment decision that may result in injury. If your glucose alerts and readings from the Dexcom CGM do not match symptoms, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions. Seek medical advice and attention when appropriate, including for any medical emergency.