"Time to turn your food into fuel! I make sure your energy levels stay balanced so you can run, play, and have fun all day long!"
Percy the Pancreas
Welcome to Percy the Pancreas’ world—where energy and balance are always on the menu! Percy is the behind-the-scenes superstar of your body, making sure your energy levels stay just right.
He works hard to keep your blood sugar steady and help your body digest food. He’s a little shy but super important, and without him, your body wouldn’t be able to use all the yummy food you eat!
Managing energy is his superpower, and he’s here to take you on a magical journey of how he keeps everything running smoothly!
Meet Percy!
Percy is always on duty, working behind the scenes like a secret superhero to keep your energy just right! Whether you're eating a delicious meal, running around the playground, or even fast asleep, Percy is making sure your body has the fuel it needs to keep going strong and feeling great!
But Percy’s job isn’t just about energy—he’s also a master of balance! He keeps your blood sugar levels steady, making sure you don’t run out of energy or have too much at once. It’s like having a built-in fuel controller that makes sure your body runs smoothly all day long.
💡 Did you know? If Percy isn’t working properly, it can make it hard for the body to manage energy. Some kids and grown-ups need medicine or special treatments to help Percy do his job. And in some cases, a pancreas transplant might be needed to give someone a brand-new start!
That’s where real-life heroes come in—people just like YOU who learn about pancreas health, donation, and transplants to help others live a full, happy life. By learning and sharing Percy’s story, you’re already making a huge difference!
What Do Pancreases Do?
Percy is like your body’s very own chef and energy manager! He’s always mixing up special recipes to turn your food into fuel and keep your energy just right. Whether you’re munching on a sandwich, zooming around the playground, or even curled up in bed—Percy is busy behind the scenes, making sure your body gets what it needs!
🍬 Making Insulin – The Sugar Mover: Percy creates insulin, a magic key that unlocks the doors to your cells, letting sugar (from food) move in and turn into energy! Without insulin, sugar would float around in your blood with nowhere to go, making you feel tired, dizzy, or unwell.
🥦 Breaking Down Food – The Super Juicer: Percy also whips up special digestive juices that break down fats, proteins, and carbs, turning them into super-charged nutrients your body can actually use. Without his secret sauce, your food wouldn’t be properly digested, and your tummy might feel grumbly and upset!
💡 But What Happens if Percy Isn’t Working Properly? If Percy can’t make enough insulin, sugar gets stuck in the bloodstream, making it harder for your body to turn food into energy. This can lead to conditions like diabetes, where people need medicine or insulin injections to help do Percy’s job. In some cases, if Percy is really sick, doctors may need to replace him with a healthy pancreas through a transplant!
A pancreas transplant can be life-changing—giving someone the freedom to eat, play, and live without worry! Thanks to real-life heroes who donate, kids and adults with pancreas problems can get a fresh start and feel amazing again!
Superpower of Donation
Did you know that Percy the Pancreas has a life-changing superpower? He’s not just a tiny chef mixing up energy—he can help people feel strong, healthy, and full of life again!
But sometimes, Percy gets tired and stops working properly, like when his recipe book for energy goes missing.That’s where the amazing gift of donation comes in!
💛 How does it work? When someone donates a pancreas, they give another person the chance to feel energised again—just like refuelling a superhero! For people with Type 1 Diabetes, this can be life-changing. Instead of constantly worrying about their blood sugar levels, a pancreas transplant can help their body manage energy on its own.
✨ Percy Gets a Fresh Start! Doctors carefully swap out the old, tired Percy for a brand-new, healthy one. And just like magic (or science!), the body can start making insulin again, keeping energy steady and strong! It’s like Percy getting a brand-new recipe book, ready to mix up the perfect balance of energy and nutrients all over again!
💡 Pancreas transplants don’t just bring back health—they bring back freedom! Kids and adults who once had to check their blood sugar all day long can now enjoy their favourite foods, play sports, and focus on having fun—without worry!
🦸♂️ Thanks to real-life heroes who choose to donate, people with pancreas problems can get back to playing, learning, and living their best lives!
Life After Transplant
With a new pancreas, transplant recipients can go back to enjoying their favourite foods, playing their favourite sports, and living life without the constant struggle of blood sugar management. It’s like giving Percy a brand-new recipe book, full of fresh ingredients to keep energy levels just right!
For kids, this means they can run, jump, and play without having to stop and check their blood sugar all the time. They can eat birthday cake at parties, play for hours without worry, and feel free to enjoy all their favourite activities. It’s like unlocking a whole new world of fun and adventure!
For older kids and adults, it’s a huge life change too. No more daily insulin injections or worrying about how every meal will affect them. They can go back to school, work, and even travel without needing to constantly manage their diabetes.
💛 A pancreas transplant doesn’t just bring back energy—it brings back freedom! Thanks to incredible donors, kids and grown-ups can live, play, and dream big again!
Diabetes: The Sneaky Sugar Detective!
Imagine your body as a big, busy city, and sugar (glucose) is the energy that keeps everything running - like fuel for cars or batteries for toys!
But what happens if there's too much or too little sugar zooming around your body?
That's where diabetes comes in. Let’s go on an adventure to find out more!
Meet the Sugar Detective!
Deep inside your body lives a superhero called Insulin.
Insulin is like a detective, making sure sugar goes where it needs to go - into your muscles for running, your brain for thinking, and everywhere else to keep you strong and healthy.
But sometimes, this Sugar Detective needs a little help.
The Different Types of Diabetes
There are a few types of diabetes, and each one has its own mystery:
Type 1 Diabetes - The Sugar Detective goes on vacation!
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Imagine if the Sugar Detective packed their bags and left town! With Type 1 diabetes, the body stops making insulin, and sugar gets stuck in the blood instead of giving energy to muscles and the brain. People with Type 1 become Sugar Detective Sidekicks by taking insulin shots and checking their sugar levels to stay strong and zippy!
Type 2 Diabetes - The Sugar Detective gets sleepy!
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Sometimes, the Sugar Detective gets sleepy and doesn’t do their job properly. This happens when we eat too many sugary snacks or don’t get enough playtime. The good news? Healthy foods, fun activities, and sometimes medicine can wake up the Sugar Detective to get things back on track!
Gestational Diabetes - A baby bump surprise!
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When someone has a baby growing in their belly, the Sugar Detective might get a bit mixed up. It’s like a surprise puzzle! Doctors keep a close eye on the sugar levels, and after the baby is born, the detective usually figures it out again.
Post-Transplant Diabetes - The medicine mystery!
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After a transplant, some people’s Sugar Detective starts acting funny because of the special medicines that protect their new organ. But no worries - doctors have a super toolkit of tests, medicines, and advice to help manage it!
How Do We Help Our Sugar Detective?
Helping our Sugar Detective is like training a superhero!
Here’s how you can help:
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Eat a Rainbow: Imagine eating a rainbow on your plate - crunchy carrots, juicy blueberries, and leafy greens! These colourful foods give the Sugar Detective the power to do its job.
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Move Like a Superhero: Run like The Flash, dance like a pop star, or swim like a dolphin! Moving your body helps the Sugar Detective use sugar for energy.
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Gadget Power (Medicine & Insulin): Sometimes, the Sugar Detective needs a high-tech gadget like insulin or medicine. Doctors help decide what gadget works best to keep sugar levels just right.
Diabetes and Organ Transplants: The Mystery Connection!
Did you know that getting a new organ can confuse the Sugar Detective? Here’s why:
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Before Transplant: If an organ isn’t working properly, sugar can build up like traffic on a busy road.
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After Transplant: The special medicines that protect the new organ can make the Sugar Detective a bit clumsy. But don't worry! Doctors and nurses are like secret agents, always watching sugar levels and helping with medicine, fun food plans, and activity missions.
Fun Fact: Diabetes is Everywhere!
Did you know that more than 1 in 10 people around the world have diabetes?
And about 1 in 4 people who get a transplant might meet the Sugar Detective afterward.
But guess what?
With the right tools and a team of helpers, it can be managed!
Meet Mia and the Sugar Detective!
Mia was 10 years old when she got a kidney transplant. After her surgery, she found out she had post-transplant diabetes. "Oh no!" she said. "What's going to happen?"
"Don't worry!" said Nurse Tom. "We just need to train your Sugar Detective." Mia learned how to check her sugar levels, eat yummy healthy snacks, and give herself insulin when needed.
Now, Mia calls herself the "Sugar Detective Assistant" and even teaches her friends about diabetes. "It's not scary," she says, "just a new adventure!"
Remember: If you or someone you know has diabetes, there are so many helpers around! Doctors, nurses, family, and friends all work together to keep the Sugar Detective on the job! 🚀🎉
How Can You Be a Hero?
Even though you may be too young to be a donor now, you can still be a hero in Percy’s world!
💛 Learn & Share: Every superhero needs knowledge! Learning about how the pancreas works and why some people need a transplant is a great start. But don’t stop there—share Percy’s story with your family and friends so more people can understand the power of donation!
🍏 Take Care of Percy: Percy loves when you eat healthy foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Drinking lots of water and staying active also keep him happy and working properly! The better you treat Percy, the stronger and more balanced your energy will be!
💬 Talk About It: Being a hero means starting important conversations! Ask your family if they know about pancreas donation and how it can help people with Type 1 Diabetes or other conditions. Just talking about it can make a huge difference in helping more people get the second chance they need!
💡 Remember Percy! Next time you eat a snack, feel full of energy, or enjoy a delicious meal, think about Percy the Pancreas and how he’s always working behind the scenes to keep you feeling great!
Heroes come in all sizes—even pint-sized ones like you! Just by learning, sharing, and taking care of your own health, you’re already making the world a better place! And who knows? One day, you might help give someone the gift of life! 💛✨
More About Pancreases
Functions and Common Disorders
Functions of the Pancreas
Making Insulin
Balancing Your Energy!
Percy makes a special potion called insulin to help balance sugar in your blood, giving you just the right amount of energy!
Digesting Food
Turning Meals into Fuel!
He whips up powerful digestive juices to break down fats, proteins, and carbs, turning food into fuel for your body.
Keeping You Balanced
Keeping You Just Right!
Percy keeps your energy steady so you don’t feel too zoom-zoom fast or slow-mo sleepy!
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Common Pancreas Disorders
Type 1 Diabetes
The Broken Sugar Key!
Sometimes, the body gets confused and attacks Percy the Pancreas, stopping him from making insulin. Without insulin, sugar can’t turn into energy, and Percy might need a new helper!
Chronic Pancreatitis Percy's Never-Ending Tummy Ache!
When Percy gets inflamed too often, he becomes sore and tired. If he can’t help digest food anymore, he might need a fresh start with a new pancreas!
Pancreatic Insufficiency
When Digestion Slows Down!
If Percy isn’t making enough digestive juices, your body might have trouble absorbing all the good stuff from your meals.
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Trauma or Injury
Percy Takes a Big Hit!
Pancreatic Cancer
The Unwanted Invader!
Cystic Fibrosis
The Sticky Mucus Mess!
A hard hit, like a big fall or accident, can badly damage Percy. If he can’t recover, a new pancreas may be needed to do his job!
Sometimes, bad cells start growing inside Percy and take over his space. If they don’t stop, a new pancreas might be needed to keep things running!
Thick, sticky mucus can block Percy, making it hard for him to send out digestion juices. If he gets too clogged up, a new pancreas might need to take over!
Pancreatic Cysts
The Unwanted Bubbles!
Islet Cell Dysfunction Percy’s Insulin Factory Breaks Down
Pancreatic Necrosis Percy's Power Outage!
Sometimes, fluid-filled bubbles grow on Percy, making it hard for him to do his job. If they get too big or cause problems, Percy might need a fresh start!
Percy’s special insulin-making cells can stop working properly, making it hard to control blood sugar. If they can't be fixed, a new pancreas might be needed!
If Percy gets really sick, parts of him stop working, like a power outage. When too much shuts down, a new pancreas might be needed!
Percy’s job is to turn your food into fuel and keep your energy levels just right! He’s like a tiny chef and a smart calculator, whipping up the perfect mix of insulin and digestive juices to help your body use sugar for energy and break down food! 🍎⚡🥪
Remember, taking care of Percy means eating balanced meals, enjoying healthy snacks, and staying active. When you do, Percy can do his best work—keeping your blood sugar steady, your tummy happy, and your adventures powered up! 💛🏃♂️✨
Learn More About Your Pancreas!
Are you ready to dive deeper into the magic of your pancreas? Click on the logos below to explore more and become a pancreas health hero today!
Pancare Foundation offers support to kids and families affected by pancreatic conditions by providing information, patient support services, and connecting them with a caring community. They help families navigate treatment, offer emotional support, and raise awareness about pancreatic health.
PanKind, The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation supports kids and families by funding research, raising awareness, and providing resources to help those affected by pancreatic conditions. They offer patient support, information, and advocacy to improve lives and bring hope to families.
Diabetes Australia supports kids and families by providing information, resources, and programs to help manage Type 1 Diabetes and other pancreatic conditions. They offer education, advocacy, and support networks to empower families and improve lives.
Monash Health provides specialised care for kids and families dealing with pancreatic conditions, including pancreas transplants. They offer expert medical support, pre- and post-transplant care, and help patients manage their health for a better quality of life
Westmead Hospital is home to the National Pancreas Transplant Unit, providing expert care and support for kids and families needing pancreas transplants. They offer specialised treatment, pre- and post-transplant care, and help patients manage their health for a brighter future.
Royal Adelaide Hospital provides specialised care for pancreas transplant patients through its Central and Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service (CNARTS). They offer expert medical support, pre- and post-transplant care, and ongoing health management to help kids and families live healthier lives.
Transplant Australia is all about celebrating second chances! They support people who have had a pancreas transplant and even organise the Transplant Games—an epic event where transplant recipients show just how strong and unstoppable they are!
Thinking about becoming a hero? DonateLife helps kids and families discover the magic of organ donation—where one donated pancreas can give someone the energy to run, play, and enjoy life again!
