Hippo, your lifesaver

Hippo, your lifesaver!

When your blood sugar levels are too low, we call it hypoglycemia, or 'hypo' for short. It’s really unpleasant. You feel tired, dizzy, and even hungry. You start to sweat, shake, get a headache, and you might even get angry. It’s best to quickly eat something sweet or drink a soda (not diet) so your body gets sugar (energy) again. The mascot of the Hippo & Friends type 1 diabetes fund is also called 'Hippo'. A super-soft plush hippo with type 1 diabetes! Just like you, he has to check his blood sugar levels and inject insulin several times a day because his pancreas produces little or no insulin. Hippo is already a lifesaver for many children with type 1 diabetes!

Why does Hippo have colored dots?

Hippo has colored dots on his body that indicate where you can inject insulin. The colors represent the speed at which insulin is absorbed into your blood. This varies depending on the injection site: fast absorption via your abdomen (green), less fast absorption via your upper arm (orange), and slow absorption via your thighs or buttocks (red). These colors were not chosen by accident. They remind you of traffic lights, making them easy to remember. We hope Hippo becomes your personal support and companion.