New diabetes game launched to improve childhood education

By Editor
6th May 2025
Children, Education Type 1 diabetes

A fantasy-themed trading card game and story universe that brings to life the realities of diabetes in a way that is fun, empowering, and easy to understand has been launched.

Designed for children and adults aged 10 and older, DiaFight combines immersive gameplay with a powerful storytelling series: ‘Ellie and Endo’.

These short, animated stories follow a brave young girl and her loyal DiaPal through epic adventures that mirror the daily highs and lows of living with type 1 diabetes.

In this regard, DiaFight is meant to inspire any young person with diabetes on their own journey.

Described by healthcare officials as “simple but brilliant,” the card game and stories address the many real-life experiences faced by children, families, and adults with diabetes, making learning not only accessible but enjoyable.

Dr Tom Crabtree, Consultant Diabetologist at the Royal Derby Hospital, explained how DiaFight is also useful for people without diabetes.

He said: “I think DiaFight is a fantastic novel and entertaining way of helping people without diabetes understand some of the day-to-day burdens of living with the condition, as well as potentially opening up important conversations about living with type 1 diabetes between those living with the condition and their families, friends and loved ones.”

DiaFight has been invited to take part in MCM Comic Con, held at the ExCeL Centre from May 20 to 22.

You can find the DiaFight team at N822 and follow ‘Ellie and Endo’ on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@DiaFightVideo.

DiaFight was co-designed with people living with diabetes, healthcare providers, teachers, and caregivers.

A robust clinical research programme, including focus groups and interviews, evaluated acceptability, educational impact, stigma reduction, and playability.

Participants included:

  • 37 healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses)
  • 40 parents, teachers and caregivers (aged 23 to 62)
  • 15 children (aged three to 16).

Despite most participants having received standard diabetes education, overall knowledge remained low to moderate.

DiaFight was shown to:

  • Significantly boost diabetes knowledge
  • Reinforce educational messages
  • Reduce stigma
  • Facilitate better diabetes-related conversations.

Parents said it “helps explain diabetes to those unaware” and “makes everyday challenges easier to talk about.”

The ‘Ellie and Endo’ videos have already reached over 40,000 views in just four weeks, with new episodes released weekly.

Each story explores different aspects of diabetes — management, mindset, support, friendship, and resilience.

DiaFight is more than a game, it’s an evidence-based, story-driven tool that promotes teamwork, reduces stigma, and improves understanding of type 1 diabetes through the lens of physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

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