The Nightscout Foundation
#WeAreNotWaiting
The Nightscout Foundation exists to encourage and support the creation of technological solutions that enhance the lives of people with Type 1 Diabetes and those who love them. We help drive the next generation of what it looks like to thrive with Type 1 Diabetes by providing funding for flexible options to optimize diabetes control. While we are envisioning a world without Type 1 Diabetes, until that is a reality we are helping to make better management a reachable goal through technological tools.
The Nightscout Foundation began as a grassroots movement initiated by a group of parents, engineers, and advocates who sought to improve the lives of children with diabetes. The story traces back to a few dedicated parents who were frustrated with the limitations of existing diabetes management technologies. They wanted to create a way to monitor their children's blood glucose levels remotely, especially during the school day, to prevent dangerous drops in blood sugar.
In 2013, one of the key figures, a father named John Costik, developed a DIY project called Nightscout, which allowed parents to use a continuous glucose monitor to send data to a web-based application. This enabled caregivers to access real-time glucose readings on the internet, providing peace of mind and better management of diabetes.
As the project gained traction, more people such as Lane Desborough, began to contribute to its development and others, sharing their experiences and improvements. The community grew rapidly and the Nightscout Foundation was officially established to support the ongoing development of the technology, promote open-source solutions, and advocate for better diabetes management tools, long before commercial products become available.
This was the beginning of the #WeAreNotWaiting movement.
The Mission
The Foundation’s mission includes education, support, and resources for families dealing with diabetes, emphasizing the importance of community and collaboration in managing this chronic condition. Through the efforts of the Nightscout Foundation, many families have found new hope and improved quality of life in managing diabetes.
“I can finally sleep through the night, thanks to Nightscout, I no longer have to get up in the middle of the night to check my child’s blood sugar.”
THE PROJECTS
The Foundation began with the support of Nightscout - a web-based tool allowing caregivers to keep an eye on their loved-one’s blood glucose levels. The Nightscout software predates Dexcom’s Follow and provides comprehensive reporting and analysis of glucose levels not available through other tools. The Foundation has more recently supported development of Automated Insulin Delivery tools including the hybrid and fully closed insulin delivery systems Loop, Trio, and OpenAPS/AndroidAPS software applications.
All of these tools - Nightscout through AID projects - are important components of the DIY diabetes management landscape. These projects are available free-of-charge to individuals willing to build their own tools that have been created partially through support from the Foundation.
Nightscout is an open-source project that allows users to monitor glucose levels in real-time. It enables data visualization and sharing, providing families, individuals, caregivers, and providers with insights into diabetes management. Nightscout enhances the ability to manage diabetes by making CGM data accessible and actionable in real time. Nightscout predated the release of Dexcom’s Follow™ App* by about 1.5 years.
Loop is an automated insulin delivery application that you build and operate on an iPhone. The Loop app uses your settings, meal entries and glucose data to calculate insulin dosing needed to bring your blood glucose within the correction range you set.
Trio is an open-source automated insulin delivery system (OS-AID) for iOS based on the OpenAPS algorithm with adaptations for Trio. This system considers your user-entered settings, carbohydrates, and historical insulin use to automate insulin delivery to reduce the time spent managing your diabetes.
AndroidAPS is an open source app for people living with insulin-dependent diabetes. It is an artificial pancreas system (APS) which runs on Android smartphones. AAPS uses an OpenAPS software algorithm and aims to do what a real pancreas does: keep blood sugar levels within healthy limits by using automated insulin dosing.The foundation was first organized a large Facebook group to support users of the technology available through Nightscout.
User Support
Obviously, once a user builds their application, there will be occasions that they need assistance. With that in mind, the Foundation supports many all-volunteer online resources to assist the users of the Foundation’s supported projects. The Loop and Learn online community provides resources, tutorials, and community support to help users effectively implement and optimize their DIY systems for better diabetes management. The Loop and Learn community is a natural outgrowth of many other Facebook groups some of which have existed since the beginning of Nightscout such as CGM In The Cloud, and others including Looped Group, Trio Support and 45 other language/country Facebook groups specific to Nightscout. Support can also be found within the Discord app. The quality, expertise, and response time of the Nightscout support teams exceeds that of most commercially available diabetes-related technologies.
As invested members of the Type 1 Diabetes community, the Foundation is dedicated to making sure everyone is welcomed and assisted as needed.
These initiatives reflect the Nightscout Foundation's commitment to not waiting for commercial systems. The Foundation enhances the lives of those living with diabetes and those who care for them through innovative technology and community engagement.
For Families
We’re about empowering people living with Type 1 Diabetes and their families.
Born from the need for better tools to manage diabetes, the original project, Nightscout, enables real-time remote monitoring of blood glucose levels.
This open-source solution was created by people living with Type 1 Diabetes and their families. By working together to support safety and independence, whether at school, playing sports, traveling, or simply living a normal life.
By supporting and spreading awareness of these technologies, the Foundation helps individuals and families gain freedom and peace of mind in their daily lives.
For Developers
At its core, the Nightscout Foundation champions open-source technology and innovation. Developers are encouraged to contribute to projects that enhance the lives of those with or affected by Type 1 Diabetes.
We are a community-led organization, composed of volunteers across the world.
Developers join the efforts by collaborating, asking questions, making suggestions to improve existing projects, or jumping in to invent new tools that will make a difference.
Join us to learn and collaborate.
For Donors
Your support helps drive more innovative solutions and enables advocacy efforts with leading health organizations and regulators.
Every contribution helps expand access to and the creation of innovative solutions for families and individuals affected by Type 1 Diabetes.
The Foundation has provided scholarships to university students seeking STEM and related degrees, provided funding for developers to attend conferences, and for collaborative efforts otherwise out of the budgets of these volunteers.
The Nightscout Foundation is a recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit that relies on donations to fund its mission. Donations are tax-deductible.
Your generosity builds a world where technology empowers everyone touched by diabetes.