England and Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade has spoken candidly about living with Type 1 diabetes, revealing that his father's own diagnosis helped him believe he could still play rugby at the highest level.
Slade was diagnosed with the condition when he was 18, but he had already seen how Type 1 can be managed because his father John had been diagnosed when Henry was just six months old.
Father's example was crucial support
For the then-18-year-old Slade, that support was crucial to him believing that he could still make it as a rugby player.
He explained: “The main benefits were subconscious. Throughout my whole childhood, I had seen Dad doing his injections, testing his blood, whilst doing all the activities that he wanted to do. I knew that it didn’t have to stop you being active and doing sport. Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes was a tough pill to swallow but I didn’t for one second think I can’t play rugby. I knew I could I could keep on top of it and still play rugby.”
For Slade senior, the reaction was somewhat different, having spent 18 years managing the disease. He knew exactly what was coming his son’s way, even if his own active lifestyle was proof that it did not mean everything had to change.
He recalled: “When Henry was diagnosed, my heart sank because I know how difficult it is to manage. You think, have I really passed this to my son?”
Type 1 diabetes and family history
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, where your body cannot make the hormone insulin which regulates blood sugar levels. Having a family history of Type 1 is the highest risk factor for developing the disease, although it can affect anybody. If you have a first degree relative with Type 1 diabetes your risk increases up to 15-fold.
John Slade added: “Because I was always active, I didn’t want to change my life. When I was in the hospital, you had nutritionists asking you questions, they tell you that you can eat three potatoes with your roast dinner, I was eating 15 with my roast. That was a big shock.
“So I got on with life, carried on doing triathlons, football, rugby, swimming and other things, I didn’t let my diabetes get in the way. I think Henry saw that and potentially thought if he can do it, why can’t I?”
Tackle Diabetes campaign
Henry Slade was speaking as part of his Tackle Diabetes campaign, which he leads in partnership with Sanofi to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes and address stigma. The campaign was launched in 2025 and Slade has received overwhelmingly positive feedback since opening up about his own experiences.
He said: “Since I told people that I am living with Type 1 diabetes, I have had countless parents and people come up to me to say thank you, saying that it’s helped them or someone they know to know that they can play sport or rugby or whatever it is they want to do. There are more people out there than you think who don’t know that. They think they can’t do things because of their diabetes, when in fact it doesn’t have to hold them back.
“I’ve always had the mindset that if it could help one person to participate in a sport or do what they want in their life, then it’s job done. Managing my Type 1 is difficult, it takes more organising and keeping on top of than any of my teammates know or realise. But it is definitely doable.”
Now, Slade is keen to highlight the importance of early detection, with reports that the UK is falling behind other high-income countries when it comes to diagnosis of diabetes, with over 25% of adults with diabetes in the UK undiagnosed. Scientific research is ongoing to understand Type 1 diabetes and to enable earlier detection even before someone experiences symptoms. Two large scale studies are underway in the UK testing thousands of people, further supporting early diagnosis and positive outcomes for patients.
Slade added: “If any of my kids, touch wood they don’t, were to have it, you would feel guilty, given we now know that family history can play a part. It’s always in my head, whenever they are ill or they tell me they are thirsty or need the toilet a lot, that is the first place my mind goes to.
“That is one of the reasons I launched this Tackle Diabetes campaign, because there are tests that can be done for early detection of diabetes before symptoms arise.
“When the kids are all old enough, we’ll get those tests done to know if they are going to develop it. Hopefully they aren’t, but if they are, it will help us to prepare for what is to come and be more proactive in looking for the signs and symptoms. It’s a great tool to have the knowledge, it can help soften the blow.”
Tackle Diabetes is a campaign led by Henry Slade in partnership with Sanofi, to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes signs, symptoms and the value of early detection. For more information about early detection visit testfortype1.com/uk.
