My name is Rachel, and my son George has lived with Type 1 diabetes since he was eight years old.

In 2016, our family was detained for more than two hours at Dubai Airport after security staff insisted that George's insulin pump be screened in a way that contradicted manufacturer guidance. We came close to missing our flight home and discovered that many airport staff were unaware of the correct procedures for screening medical devices.

Determined to prevent others experiencing the same ordeal, I launched this petition alongside my campaign and worked with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to create the Medical Device Awareness (MDA) Card, which launched in 2019 and was later incorporated into international aviation guidance through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The Medical Device Awareness Card (MDA) Card is available via a live download link and can be stored on your phone for easy access while travelling. Passport-sized printed versions are also available and fit neatly inside your passport. UK residents can request a free printed card by emailing rachel@mdacard.com.

Despite this progress, challenges remain. UK airports handled a record 302 million passenger journeys in 2025, and with around 1 in 14 people in England living with diabetes, thousands of travellers requiring insulin pumps, CGMs and other medical devices pass through airport security every day. Yet reports of confusion, inconsistent screening procedures and unnecessary distress continue to emerge.

Importantly, I do not believe this reflects a lack of willingness from security staff, but rather the reality that awareness and training can vary greatly between individuals, shifts, airports, and even different screening lanes.

RACHEL CRAWFORD
Head of Campaign
Email rachel@mdacard.com 
Website mdacard.com

WHAT YOU CAN DO
To help drive further improvements, I am gathering feedback through an online survey to better understand the experiences of passengers travelling with insulin pumps, CGMs and other medical devices. The findings will help identify areas where awareness, training and procedures can be strengthened, ensuring travellers are treated safely, consistently and with respect. Please consider completing the survey and sharing it within the diabetes community, every response helps make a difference. 💙

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