Going forward we can all continue to be proud and courageous on his behalf when it comes to advocacy and support.

And I think everyone whose lives have been touched by Bastion will be forever grateful.

A visionary, a mentor, and above all, a deeply kind human being who believed in the power of patient voices. Through Dedoc, he opened doors for countless people living with diabetes, creating opportunities for us to learn, connect, advocate, and be heard on global platforms.

Many of us had the privilege of attending conferences, sharing our stories, and becoming stronger advocates because he believed that lived experience matters. His work went far beyond building an organization, he built a community, empowered individuals, and inspired change across the world.

His kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people with diabetes will never be forgotten.

Thank you for everything you gave to this community. Your legacy will live on in every voice you helped amplify and every life you touched.

Your legacy will live on in all of us. 💙

Through founding Dedoc, he created opportunities for patient advocates around the world to travel, learn, connect, and have their voices heard on international stages.

But what I will remember most is his kindness. I met him in Rotterdam, walking, talking, and sharing simple moments, including him helping me roll my luggage to the train station. I met him again in Singapore, reviewing presentation materials and receiving his thoughtful support and encouragement.

You could always sense his support. He believed in people and quietly helped them succeed.

Thank you, Bastian, for all that you gave to this community and to so many of us personally.

Rest in peace. You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

💙💙💙

You were a visionary who brought people together. Someone who didn’t just have ideas but turned them into reality. You created spaces, enabled connections, and helped unite the diabetes community far beyond Germany.

What made you special was the way you approached people: warm-hearted, approachable, direct, and always constructive. You made things happen without ever losing sight of the people behind them.

So many people were inspired, encouraged, and supported by you along their journey. I am one of them.

I am especially grateful for our last meeting on Easter Monday. Today, I know it was also a farewell. You fought for many years. This was the one battle you could not win.

Thank you for the conversations, the time we shared, and the many traces you leave behind.

Farewell, Bastian.

You will be missed.

Thank you for everything you gave to the diabetes community. Your passion, kindness, and dedication changed countless lives, including mine. Your legacy will continue through every advocate, every voice, and every person you inspired.

You will never be forgotten. ❤️

Rest in peace dearest Bastian💙

Recalling the memories at the ISPAD conferences, you have been so inspirational, leader, and an advocate that I have ever met in this T1D journey and I want to thank GOD that I was able to meet you online, in person and learnt a lot from you.

Am proud to be a Dedoc Voice and your work will always be remembered.

And we will continue the legacy to #PAYITFORWARD

My infusion set was coming loose mid-ride. I said it out loud, because when you are with people with diabetes, you just do that. He didn't look up from his phone, probably 1000 WhatsApp messages…, but straight away: stop the taxi, fix the set, make the dinner. Done. That is the diabetes community. That was also Bastian.

We talked about Córdoba once. Similar age, same years living with type 1. Every time we crossed paths there was always something in common.

He was busy with all of us. But he also enjoyed life and I didn't see that side enough, only on the late nights when I managed to stay up 🌙!

It didn't matter what kind of advocate you were. Doodling your story or sitting in a policy meeting, same attention, same respect. He understood that this community is made of all of us, every single voice, and he treated it that way 💙

Knew him not enough. Impacted by him a lot. I think many of us can relate to that

Rest well Bastian and thanks 🕊️

He opened doors for countless advocates, including me, creating opportunities for us to learn, contribute, connect, and ensure that the realities of living with diabetes were heard alongside the science.

Bastian reminded the world that lived experience is not an afterthought to research and healthcare—it is an essential part of it.

Today, I remember him with gratitude, respect, and admiration. His legacy lives on in every advocate he empowered, every voice he amplified, and every effort to bridge research with real life.

Thank you, Bastian. You made a difference that is now our responsibility to carry forward with your beautiful smile in our memory when we met at DEDOC# Voice dinners or during virtual workshop. 💙

May you rest in peace and your family be comforted.

Thank you for everything you did for the diabetes community and for creating a space where so many of us from around the world could connect, learn, share, and find our voice.

Your impact will continue to live on through the countless people you inspired and the global community you helped build.

My deepest condolences to those dear to you and to the community.

Rest in peace, dear friend. You will be deeply missed.

Bastian stood up for us all during the dedoc symposium when someone tried to put the onus on us to make sure the research they were looking at was diverse, rather than them as the researcher making the research accessible to the groups they wanted to access. I'll never forget how quickly and how firmly Bastian supported us and made sure we were protected.

Miss you Bastian ♥️

You left, and with you, a part of me left too. You left a gap in my heart that I don’t think anyone on this earth could ever fill the way you did.

Beirut, Berlin, Hamburg, Kiel, Málaga—it didn’t matter where we went, you were always smiling. Every time I was feeling down, you would tell me that everything would be okay.

Man, I wish you had known how much color you brought into my life.

My friend, I will always remember you, and I will miss you more than words can say.

Rest in peace my brother ♥️

I will always remember your kind words when you told me you were proud of me as a mother fighting to learn, share knowledge, and support the diabetes community of moms.

You pushed the diabetes community toward the future, and your impact will continue even after your passing.

You will never be forgotten.

I remember being the bubbly girl who convinced everyone to do finger hearts. 🫰 And I remember Bastian being completely on board, joining in with a smile. 😊

I also remember a breakfast we shared in Singapore with my fellow Type 1s. I sat beside him, not fully realizing who he was or the incredible journey he had been on. What I did know was that I wanted to hear the story of how all of this began.

So I asked.

He shared his adventures, the challenges he faced, and the passion that drove him to create something that would change lives. What stayed with me was not just what he accomplished, but the genuine care behind it all.

Bastian was a man I had the privilege of meeting, and he was truly remarkable. Kind, humble, and deeply committed to making life better for people living with Type 1 diabetes.

I hope he knew just how many lives he touched around the world, and especially in the Philippines 🇵🇭 Because of his vision and dedication, countless people found support, hope, friendship, and a community that understood them.

The Type 1 community has lost a leader, and the world has lost a truly extraordinary person.

Thank you, Bastian. Your legacy lives on in all of us. 💙

I learned so much, I have been impressed by so many dedoc°voices, it opened a whole new world to me, dedoc° gave me so much power, it gave me new friends, new visions and new power to live with diabetes and to advocate for it. All of this because of the ideas and visions from Bastian....who always made others shine. Thank you for everything you made possible for so many voices.... this power will keep spreading around the world and voices will keep #payingitforward

Dear Bastian, I still remember the promise we made, the hope you had in fulfilling your promise. You may not be here in person but, I will keep my end of the bargain to make you proud. Your legacy lives on in all of us, we will uphold and continue your work. Thank you for believing in us and giving us the chance to actualize.

Fare thee well, may your rest be peaceful.

I knew this because it was evident in the phenomenal things that the #dedoc had achieved, and in the way you captivated your audience when talking to a room. There were always so many ongoing and ambitious projects and plans that you were working on. Your enthusiasm captivated us all during the last meeting I shared with you.

Thank you for all that you've done - the love and outpouring since the sad news of your passing demonstrates the amazing legacy that you've left behind and the impact you've had on so many people around the world 💙

Thoughts and prayers to your family, loved ones and friends. Rest in peace Bastian x

The incredible #dedoc° family you built, the way you championed lived experience were truly inspiring. You will be deeply missed and always remembered. Rest in peace Bastian.

Even through the rain and a late night in Bangkok, Bastian brought people together and made everyone feel they belonged. No one was left behind.

His kindness, generosity and belief in human connection created an impact far beyond any title.

Bastian’s impact will always be with us. May we continue to live out his legacy. 🦢💙 #payitforward

Here I am , behind you, and now I am sure , you will be watching all of us, perhaps from behind this time ! Thanks 🙏

When I first met Bastian Hauck during the Young Leaders in Diabetes training in Bangkok in April 2025, he introduced himself by saying that he had studied political science and Middle Eastern relations in Lebanon. I felt a mix of surprise, happiness, and curiosity, and I wanted to learn more about him. As a Lebanese advocate representing DiaLeb, and as someone also studying politics in Lebanon, I was intrigued and asked him a question that stayed with me:

“What does politics have to do with diabetes?”

His answer changed my perspective. The moment he started speaking, I began taking notes.

According to Bastian, diabetes is deeply political. Access to insulin, reimbursement, stigma, research funding, and healthcare systems are all shaped by decisions, policies, and people. He helped me see that my academic background and my lived experience with T1D were not separate paths; they could work together to create change.

A few months later, I was selected as a dedoc° voice and awarded a scholarship to attend ISPAD 2025 in Montreal. Then, in April 2026, I attended the End Diabetes Stigma Summit in India. Like many advocates around the world, I benefited directly from Bastian’s vision of creating opportunities for people living with diabetes to have a seat at the table.

What made our conversation even more special was his connection to Lebanon. He spoke fondly about the time he studied and lived there and how much he wanted to return one day.

Today, the diabetes community has lost an extraordinary leader. But his impact lives on through every advocate he empowered, every voice he amplified, and every opportunity he created.

As I reflect on the conversations we shared, I realize that his influence reached far beyond programs, conferences, or scholarships. He inspired people to believe that their experiences mattered, that their voices could drive change, and that they belonged in the rooms where decisions are made. Across countries, cultures, and communities, he helped build a generation of advocates who will continue the work he cared so deeply about.

Thank you, Bastian. Thank you for believing in me and in so many inspiring people across the diabetes community. Thank you for believing that people living with diabetes deserve to be heard.

Sail High, Bastian, and may your beautiful soul rest in eternal peace.⛵️🦢

My heart is heavy as I write this. Thank you for believing in people living with diabetes and for creating a place where everyone felt welcomed, valued, and included.

As a #dedoc° Voice, I was fortunate to receive opportunities I could never have imagined for myself. Coming from a small place and living with Type 1 diabetes, I never thought life would take me to those spaces. But your belief in advocates made it possible.

What I will remember most is your kindness. I still remember when I was in Ahmedabad and needed help with rescheduling my flight. You stepped in with such warmth and support. It may have seemed like a small act, but it reflected who you were—someone who genuinely cared about people.

The day you left this world, I was hosting our NGO's monthly meeting, spending time with children and families living with Type 1 diabetes. Later that evening, I attended a spiritual gathering and prayed for your well-being, unaware of what had already happened. Looking back, I find comfort in knowing that while you were leaving this world, I was serving the very community you worked so hard to empower. In my own small way, I was carrying forward the vision you dedicated your life to.

Thank you for every door you opened, every voice you amplified, and every person you made feel they belonged.

We will continue to carry your vision forward and pay it forward to our community, just as you taught us.

Rest peacefully, Bastian. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will live on in all of us.

With gratitude, love, and respect. 💐💙🫂🙏🏻

Hope we can continue his great efforts and his hope 🙏

Let's work together to Pay it forward 🤝

Thank you for your friendship, your partnership, and all you gave to the T1D community! Thank you, Bastian! We are comforted knowing that you are now at perfect peace 💜

He not only appreciated this, he announced this on the stage at the next dedoc symposium... as an example of paying it forward. Since then, we had a dedoc voice from Meethi Zindagi at almost every conference. He gave us what we could only dream of. We grew close over time. He became a dear friend.. someone I could drop a note to or call whenever I needed an ear or advice.

I remember the day in 2022 when he told me that treatment wasnt working and options were getting limited. We sat at an empty booth in a conference exhibition area. I looked at him in absolute disbelief. He was all active and moving about the whole week before that, while he was coping with treatment. I admired his strength. We both silently sat there for a little while... and cried. Me with a sense of hope, prayers and spirituality... him with a sense of resigned acceptance... "its not really working Sana.. and the doctors arent very hopeful".

He wanted to get some insights into setting up a Dedoc Foundation and whether that was the right way forward. He wanted to ensure dedoc had a secure future and he chooses and sets someone up for taking his role when he cannot be there.

A couple of years passed. His health keep getting worse but his resilence kept getting stronger. He always showed up with a smile on his face, a message of posivity and strength.

2024 and Meethi Zindagi faced a huge crises.. lives of 1000 children were put at stake. Many people advised me to give in, for the sake of my own mental health. Not Bastian. He stood with me like a rock. Taking regular updates, reviewing details, intervening where he could, providing advice.

"The role of a ship's captian in a storm is to stay at his place and guide his team to do the necessary work. Dont get bogged down in this crisis situation. You have it in you Sana."

He showed up with me in a room where a difficult conversation had to take place. He didnt need to be there. He asked me if I wanted him to be there. I absolutely needed him. He joined and made the conversation flow easier. Later we sat down and he said.. "Both sides made mistakes. What I really admire in you Sana is that you understand and also admitted your mistake. You didnt try to cover it up. You were and are trying to set it right and you make no fool out of yourself and others about it. Your candor and courage is what I really admire. Plz never lose this trait." .. and what I really admired... that he showed up.. he took a stand for the cause. He didnt have to..but he did. No flowery words... I couldnt give him anything in return. He never expected anything either. His friendship didnt end at advice. Rather he was alwayd ready to do whatever he could, and did.

He used his networking and connections to save the 1000 children. Me, Meethi Zindagi and the 1000 families owe this to him and Alicia Jenkins. He never gave up. He always knew how to find a pathway and hope even when everything looked bleak. Later he recognized Alicia with an award. No fancy event...no fancy prize.. a simple recognition for what she (and he himself) had enabled. I had a presentation that was conflicting with the schedule... "I want you to be there Sana... its for what Alicia did for Pakistan that I want to recignize her.." .. I ran from my presentation to the award ceremony just in time to capture this photo. He looked at me in the crowd, waved and we both exchanged a knowing smile.

And he was always always there. No matter how hard it was for him personally. He never stopped. In the last few months, my chats with him will start with "Bastian plz take care of yourself buddy" and he will be like "I am okay. This needs to be done." He wanted to do all in his power in the little time he had left.

A couple of weeks ago an email was circulated about his health. My apprehensions grew. I sent him a text... he responded with a ❤️.. I drafted another text but never sent it. I felt like he needed his peace.. Farewell dear friend.. sail away peacefully and knowing that your legacy lives on. Thank you for everything!!!!

I have been trying to locate pictures.. and am very bad at taking pictures and saving memories. But these 3 are probably the most meaningful for me

“Nothing about us without us”

​

Bastian didn’t just stand for this principle — he brought it to life and made it resonate across the global diabetes community. He ensured that the voices of people living with diabetes are heard, fundamentally shaping and advancing patient advocacy.

For us at Dexcom, he was more than a partner — he was an inspiring pioneer, a thoughtful challenger, and a true force for change.

His impact will live on in the community he strengthened and in the many voices he empowered.

Our thoughts are with his family, the #dedoc° team, and the entire diabetes community.

Annette Mehler & Adrian Gut
on behalf of Dexcom

For the special mention of me on my birthday at EASD 2024.

For looking out for me at that same conference when he saw me standing by myself without the other dedoc voices.

For asking after me when he heard my flight itinerary had changed.

In a world of big rooms, he made sure no one felt small.

Wishing you a beautiful, peaceful rest, Bastian. I will never forget you.

For years I’d been impressed with the way he spoke at conferences: combining dignity, poise, and intellect with his beautiful smile, panache and that unmistakable dash of Bastian Hauck swagger. I’d seen him maintain his poise when someone on a panel tried to unnerve him. And I loved the way he was always deadly calm and serious when making sure his audience knew that people living with diabetes brought unmatched expertise into the rooms where decisions were being made. Bastian seemed to have an intuitive understanding of people, politics and economics and he channelled this into the creation of #dedoc°. It’s been incredible to see the growing representation at conferences from the entire global community.

I notice that this year, the Australian Diabetes Congress (perhaps buoyed by the joining with IDF) is specifically, for the first time that I’ve noticed, sending out a general and inclusive invitation to people living with diabetes to attend. I have no doubt this is due to the work of Bastian and those people who’ve worked with him, done so much themselves and share his philosophy.

Since we chatted in Amsterdam, I’ve discovered that Bastian's sailing included taking on the Baltic Sea, and a brutal storm on a trek from New Zealand through the South Pacific to Tierra del Fuego. Bastian hinted that there might be a movie of one of his journeys out there somewhere and I hope we can all watch it together some time.

In his own words, from his blog, Adventure Diabetes, “Sailing is my absolute passion. I love the feeling of freedom that washes over me as soon as I cast off, the independence and simplicity I experience when I'm out on the water with my 'little shelduck,’ Tadorna . With her, I'm living my great dream of freedom – right here, right now.”

Sail on, Bastian. I’ll think of you every time I hear that fabulous track, Fisherman’s Blues.

I feel inspired by him in more ways than one and completely in awe of how he served so well even as he carried such pain quietly.

When I had a flight leave me in Rotterdam in October 2023, he quickly made sure I had a hotel booking for the night and rebooked my flight for the next day. I cannot express how quickly he came to my aid and how he sent someone to check on me once I got back to the hotel and made sure I had food and a safe place to spend the night.

If I can serve people the same way that Bastian served people, it would be a life well lived. Rest in perfect peace, Bastian. You cared much, loved well and I pray you were loved in this lifetime too. ❤️