Basal is more than a plush. She’s a loyal friend, a source of comfort, and a reminder that no one walks this journey alone.
Whether you’re learning to live with type 1 diabetes or supporting someone who is, Basal is here to offer love, calm, and strength.
With every Basal purchased, a D-Box is provided to someone newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Meet Basal — A Loyal Friend for Every Step of the Journey with Type 1 Diabetes
Who Is Basal?
Basal is inspired by a real black Labrador who was full of love, loyalty, and gentle strength.
Her name comes from the basal rate in an insulin pump—steady and essential, just like her.
She was created to help kids and families feel comforted, connected, and seen.
What Basal Represents
Loyalty – Always by your side, through every finger poke, every check, every moment. Comfort – A soft, safe place for navigating new routines and big feelings.
Courage – A symbol of strength in the face of type 1 diabetes.
How Basal Helps Others
Every Basal helps fund Touched by Type 1’s free programs, including delivering D-Boxes to the newly diagnosed & educating teachers and school staff on keeping students with T1D safe.
Already Have a Basal?
Did you scan the QR code on her tag? You’re in the right place!
Basal was made just for you. She’s here to listen, comfort, and remind you how strong you are.
Snap a photo and tag us online to keep us updated on your journey together!
Touched by Type 1 is proud to share Basal with the world.
Help us reach more families—one loyal friend at a time.
Basal’s Story
Basal is a black Labrador retriever with a very important job: reminding people living with type 1 diabetes that they are never alone.
Her name was inspired by basal insulin — the steady insulin that’s always there, working in the background. That felt like the perfect name for a companion created to do the same: be there through the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Basal has a special story of her own. She was inspired by Touched by Type 1 founder Elizabeth Forrest’s beloved black Labrador retriever, also named Basal because of Elizabeth’s own life with type 1 diabetes. Created in her honor, Basal carries forward the same spirit of comfort, companionship, and unconditional love — now shared with the type 1 diabetes community.
She is there for the finger pokes and site changes. The stubborn highs and unexpected lows. The appointments, new technology, new terminology, and all of the adjustments that come with learning to live with type 1 diabetes. And she is there for all of life’s moments in between — school, work, celebrations, travel, adventures, and everyday life.
Basal was created by Touched by Type 1 to be a comforting companion for anyone navigating a new type 1 diabetes diagnosis and a reminder of the community standing beside them.
She proudly wears her purple Touched by Type 1 bandana, and the QR code on her back provides a direct connection to resources, programs, education, and a community of people who understand.
Most importantly, Basal carries a simple reminder wherever she goes: Type 1 diabetes may be part of your life, but it does not define what your life can be.
Basal is there to remind everyone newly diagnosed that they can dream big, do hard things, and continue to thrive — with an entire community cheering them on every step of the way.
We Are Touched by Type 1
All of the programs by Touched by Type 1 work together to provide a positive experience for those who are touched by type 1, in Orlando and across the country. Your support helps us continue to make an impact in the type 1 community.