Background
The Bakken Invitation is a unique program that highlights how when people have access to quality healthcare and they are empowered to manage their own
health condition, they can use their “extra life” to add social and human value in communities and improve the lives of others. This applies to patients who
live with Diabetes, a chronic condition that impacts the families and demands a quick but hard adaptation phase, followed by the need of a lifelong dedication.

Aim
The Bakken Invitation recognizes patients who, with the help of medical technology – in this case, access to insulin pumps and continuous glucose
monitoring – have overcome their health challenges and are making a difference, in most cases in favor of underserved communities. The program aims to
educate and inspire other patients to take action through the stories of the Bakken Invitation Honorees and to foster a philanthropic movement of people
who Live On. Give On. The Bakken Invitation recognizes the need to connect and equip patients, so that they feel empowered to continue the work they
have been doing and inspire more patients to give back and extend their impact.

Method
The program selects every year, since 2013, between 1015
individuals who have overcome major health challenges with the help of medical technology and use their time and talent to drive positive social change in communities worldwide. Applications are submitted online and reviewed by a committee that
consists of leaders from different notforprofit organizations. Patients are selected based on their personal and social achievements. Selected individuals join together for 4 days in Hawaii, where they connect, share inspiring stories, gain new tools and resources from interacting with experienced HCP and patient leaders, form a networking community, and feel more empowered to extend their impact and inspire other patients to do the same. Each participant is invited to choose an organization that receives a grant from the Medtronic Foundation. The program offers the following online platforms where people can share their stories and show how they are making a difference, and continue to inspire others to give back (website: Liveongiveon.org, Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LiveOnGiveOn).

Results
Fortyseven Bakken Invitation Honorees have been selected, amongst which eleven are living with type 1 diabetes, since the start of the program. Seven out of these eleven people dedicated their extra life to the diabetes community through various projects in the areas of awareness, education, research and selfcare. The Foundation disbursed USD $940,000 over the past 4 years to nonprofit organizations selected by patients, of which USD $220,000 were contributed to strengthen diabetes organizations in the following countries: Sweden, USA, Brazil, China, South Africa, and the UK. Among the supported
programs, one offers online support groups to children with type 1 diabetes in resourcepoor communities in India, others sponsor the participation of
underserved children with diabetes in a diabetes camp in Brazil and in South Africa, and another allocated part of the USD 20,000 grant to organize events to raise funds to the IDF’s program Life for a Child (LFAC). According to this honoree who supports the IDFLFAC program, “working to help others can change the way you see your condition and even make it easier to get through the tough times a chronic disease brings with it” (Lindberg, 2016). Most of our Honorees who live with diabetes share their stories on their personal social media, with local media, and some have inspired patient representatives at national and international events such as the IAPO Congress, IDF Young Leaders in Diabetes Program, and JDRF Advocacy and Fundraising.

Discussion
The Bakken Invitation recognizes the key role of patients as the center of care and change makers. For this reason, it invests on leveraging patients’ voice
and initiatives, with the use of their own stories and vocation to inspiring others, fostering a philanthropic movement of people who, when accessing quality
healthcare, give back through influencing policies, improving healthcare, and reducing disparities and inequality. As such, these individuals contribute to
achieving SDG 3.4 through their direct involvement.

The Bakken Invitation recognizes and inspires patients with diabetes and other conditions to LIVE ON and GIVE ON