The daughter of former National Rugby League (NRL) player Lance Thompson has revealed that diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of type 1 diabetes, caused her father's death. She is speaking out to encourage Australians to take the condition more seriously.
Lance Thompson, a former player for the St George Dragons, St George Illawarra Dragons, and Cronulla Sharks, died at his home in August 2018 at the age of 40. For nearly eight years, his death was publicly described only as a medical episode.
Shalisse Thompson, who was 17 when she found her father, disclosed the cause of death during National Diabetes Week. "It is absolutely life threatening. Take it from my experience and take it from my family's experience," she told Channel Seven. She emphasized that both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are serious conditions.
Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body lacks sufficient insulin to convert blood sugar into energy, leading it to break down fat instead. This process creates acids known as ketones, which can accumulate to dangerous levels in the blood and require immediate medical intervention.
Thompson was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes later in his NRL career and managed it with insulin injections. His daughter recalled witnessing him live with diabetes throughout her childhood but not fully understanding the potential dangers of its complications until his death.
Lance Thompson played 239 first-grade matches during his career, debuting for St George at 17 in 1995. He played in the 1996 grand final and was a foundation member of the St George Illawarra side, appearing in the 1999 grand final. He finished his career with Cronulla. He also represented NSW City five times. Thompson retired in 2008 due to a knee injury and his diabetes diagnosis.
Diabetes Australia estimates that nearly two million Australians are living with diabetes, with approximately 500,000 undiagnosed. Group chief executive Justine Cain stated that the seriousness of the disease is often underestimated, noting potential complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and dementia. The organization reports that over 120 diabetes-related amputations occur weekly in Australia.