How Australian Singer Marcia Hines Lives with Diabetes — inside Her Long Battle

Marcia Hines was diagnosed with diabetes when she was in her 30’s. Although her battle has been long, she has not let the disease slow her down, choosing instead to fight for a healthy life.

Marcia Hines has been using her platform to bring awareness to the disease that has haunted her for over 30 years. She knows, from experience, that there is a full life to be lived, even after the serious diagnosis.

The Australian singer was surprised by the diagnosis even though she knew her mother had also been diabetic. It turned out that, for the singer, the disease had been genetic.

HER DIAGNOSIS

Hines, 67, was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes, which is the genetic variation of the disease. The star remembers losing a great deal of weight and not feeling her usual self until a friend suggested she go for testing. Her blood glucose tests confirmed that she was indeed diabetic. She told Starts at 60:

“I wasn’t expecting to get it, I was still exercising and still eating well, but genetics you can’t fight...That’s the thing with diabetes that not everyone realizes, she said. Type 1 is genetic, while Type 2 is more often a result of lifestyle. ”

The singer decided not to let the disease defeat her after a hospital stay where she met another patient who maintained a positive attitude despite having a worse diagnosis than her own.

LIVING WITH DIABETES

While Hines continues working in the entertainment industry, she can now control her own glucose levels through the use of an insulin pump. She has also taken on a healthier lifestyle that allows her to live her best life without her disease getting in the way.

The singer gets on by taking care of herself and going for regular check-ups, especially as she gets older. Hines also stays fit by exercising regularly and lucky for her, her stage career comprises of her favorite form of exercise - dancing.

Hines enjoys cooking for herself. She is vegetarian and also incorporates lots of fish in her meals. She does not drink or smoke, but she will occasionally have a sweet treat in the spirit of living life to the fullest.

HER ADVOCACY

Hines recognized the power of her celebrity and decided to use her influence to advocate for the awareness of diabetes in Australia, where more than 1.7 million are affected.

The "Diabetes Australia” ambassador has focused her energy on helping people identify the symptoms of diabetes early and get regular checks.

In 2017, Hines partnered with Priceline Pharmacy who were giving free diabetic checks at the time. The goal was to make sure that people get tested early and make the required lifestyle changes, particularly with Type 2 diabetes which is preventable.

CAREER AND PERSONAL LIFE

Looking at Hines today, one wouldn’t believe she suffers from the lifelong condition. The American-born singer seemed to have been drinking from the fountain of youth in a recent appearance at “The Kyle & Jackie O Show.”

Hines' genetic makeup may include diabetes but she also credits the same genes for her youthful appearance as well as great vocals which were passed down to her daughter, Deni Hines, 50.

Hines fell pregnant with her daughter at the tender age of 16 years and has no regrets. Deni lived with her grandmother in Jamaica while Hines was on tour.

She was also 16 the year she was discovered and cast as the youngest member to ever appear in the iconic stage musical production “Hair.”