For almost eight years, former NRL forward Lance Thompson’s death was publicly described as a medical episode.

Now, in an emotional 7NEWS exclusive, his daughter Shalisse is revealing for the first time that her father died from diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes, where a severe lack of insulin prevents the body from using sugar for energy.

She hopes speaking out during National Diabetes Week will prevent another family from experiencing the heartbreak hers did.

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“It is absolutely life threatening. Take it from my experience and take it from my family’s experience,” she told 7NEWS.

The former St George Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla Sharks enforcer died at his home in Cronulla in 2018. Shalisse was just 17 years old when she found her father that night and called for help.

Former NRL forward Lance Thompson’s death was publicly described as a medical episode. Credit: Supplied

She describes it as the worst day in her life, but tries not to relive that moment. She wants to remember him as the devoted father and fearsome footballer.

“He was a huge part of my life, he was my best mate... he was a larrikin and loved by absolutely everybody.”

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes later in life during his playing career, Thompson managed the condition with insulin injections.

As a child, Shalisse watched him live with diabetes but never realised how serious it could become.

Shalisse Thompson shares her story with 7News Health Editor Jennifer Bechwati. Credit: 7NEWS

“I didn’t realise obviously when I was a child the severity of it until what happened to my dad,” she said.

Now aged 25, she wants Australians to understand the condition can be fatal.

“It’s definitely life threatening and everyone needs to really take it seriously. Type 1 or Type 2, it’s a serious condition.”

Diabetes Australia says almost two million Australians are living with diabetes, including about 500,000 people who are undiagnosed.

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain. Credit: 7NEWS

Group CEO Justine Cain said while many people live well with diabetes, it should never be dismissed.

“It’s a very serious chronic disease, and people often underestimate just how serious a diabetes diagnosis is,” she said.

“People can live well with diabetes, but it also has serious complications. Complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and even dementia.”

More than 120 Australians undergo diabetes related amputations every week.

“It’s quite shocking,” Cain told 7NEWS.

This National Diabetes Week, Diabetes Australia is encouraging people living with the condition, their families and carers to share their experiences as part of its Living Out Loud campaign. Under the theme Stronger Together, Australians are being asked to finish the sentence: “I wish people knew…”