A lifeline for Duncan: less pain, more possibility

At Hot Cares, we meet extraordinary children whose courage quietly takes your breath away. Twelve-year-old Duncan is one of them.

Diagnosed with Autism at a young age, he found his voice only at eight. He’s since faced every day with grit and a smile—through painful foot surgery at ten and, more recently, the demanding new rhythm of life with Type 1 Diabetes. For Duncan, injections and finger pricks aren’t just physically uncomfortable; they can be overwhelming and distressing, turning ordinary routines into steep daily climbs.

Duncan’s medical team has recommended an insulin port—a small device with the power to make a huge difference. It can remove the need for daily injections and constant finger pricks, while improving blood-sugar control and easing the sensory load that comes with each needle. For a child who experiences the world more intensely, that means more calm, more focus at his special needs school in Springs, and more freedom to just be a kid.

His family has done everything possible—two older siblings saving up, and parents co-parenting through a tough retrenchment and new job—yet the costs are significant: R52,100 for the port and procedure, plus monthly consumables of R7,506. That’s where community steps in.

Partnering with people who care is at the heart of what we do, and Duncan’s story moved our friends at Ecomed to act in the most meaningful way. They will cover the full cost of the insulin port and procedure, plus the first 12 months of consumables—relief that will transform Duncan’s day-to-day life.

For Duncan, this isn’t about medical equipment—it’s about dignity, comfort, and possibility. It’s about fewer tears and more classroom concentration; fewer meltdowns and more moments of uncomplicated joy. Thank you to Ecomed for standing with us to help an exceptional young boy live more fully, every single day.