DiabetesSisters eNewsletter February 2013

DiabetesSisters eNewsletter February 2013

February 2013                                                                                                                  ISSUE 51   
DS 2013 Logo
Monthly
Newsletter 

 

  

Dear Sister,  

Hello and Happy February!  The first month of 2013 is already over!  Did you stick to your resolutions??  I know, it's always hard.  That's why I don't set resolutions.  I set goals to work toward and if I don't make much progress toward them one day or one week, so be it.  I can do it tomorrow!  There's no "falling off the wagon" for me because I never got on the "resolution" wagon.  I just refuse to do it....especially when someone tells me to do it! :-)  

As you probably know, we have been working hard behind the scenes to bring an unforgettable Conference to you in Raleigh in May and in San Francisco in October.  Rather than you watching me talk about the Conference this month on my video intro, I thought you'd much rather hear from some women who have attended a Conference (or two or three!). So, without further a due..... 

  
WfW Conference Promo Video
WfW Conference Promo Video

See you May in Raleigh, NC!  Don't forget-- the Early Bird rate ends on Feb 16th!

   
In Sisterhood,

Brandy Barnes

Founder& CEO of DiabetesSisters 

"Like" DiabetesSisters on Facebook  

Help us reach 1,500 by December 31!

"Like" Orange:Will on Facebook 




Speaker and Panelist Introduction Series
  
Mary Pruitt 
Panelists in our "Smart Sisters Live Longer" Session

   Mary Pruiett    

Hello Sisters--my name is Mary Pruiett, and I developed Type 1 diabetes in 1953, shortly before my 6th birthday. While diabetes is a serious condition now, back then it had a devastating prognosis, including serious complications and shortened lifespan. My parents decided I should live as normally as possible. I attended public schools, went on camping trips and sleepovers, and played sports. My friends knew about my diabetes, but I didn't advertise it, and did not know any other kids with diabetes. My rebellious period came during college, and I'm sure my control was pretty bad (but who would know: A1C testing was still 10 years away!). Actually though, I hated the sluggish feeling of high glucose, which kept my carbohydrate consumption under some control.

 

After graduating college, I moved to Washington, DC, and soon met my husband. Like my parents, he was very supportive (so important!). My doctors warned that diabetes greatly complicates pregnancy, so we postponed that decision. We both had fulfilling jobs that required a fair amount of European and domestic travel, so I really appreciated those new fangled disposable insulin syringes! While many jobs were just not available for women with diabetes in the late 1970's, I truly felt no discrimination at work.

 

At age 29, I decided to get my MBA. I remember an essay question on my Stanford application asking what I regarded as my three greatest accomplishments. Living well with diabetes was one of mine, and they must have liked it because I was admitted! While living in California I had my first A1C, and shortly after moving to New York in 1980 we discovered the home blood glucose monitor: huge advances were starting!

 

At an ADA seminar I met Lois Jovanovic, a woman who changed our lives with her work on diabetic pregnancy. I signed on to her program immediately, qualified with a 7.1 A1C, and was fortunate to conceive at age 36. It was a fantastic learning experience, and for the first time I really felt in control of my diabetes. Our second healthy son was born two years later.

 

During my late 30's I also had major surgery for a non-malignant brain tumor, challenging my diabetic management skills again. This was before the medical profession recognized the importance of keeping blood glucose low during surgical recuperation, and I had to fight with hospital staff to administer sufficient insulin to counteract the cortisone. Takeaway lesson: continue to educate and advocate for yourself, in medical situations and life in general. You can be and should be an expert about YOUR diabetes, so speak up and require answers from your support team.

 

Happily married for 40 years, Ralph and I have retired to North Carolina, where I've had more time for volunteer activities for diabetes and other interests. The Joslin Clinic in Boston is studying long-duration diabetes, and I'm proud to be part of their 50-year Medalist study. Two years ago, I participated in a clinical trial of a new basal insulin at UNC. There I met Laura Ely, a DS member who introduced me to DiabetesSisters. At last year's Weekend for Women Conference I was thrilled to meet so many women with diabetes! It would have been great to have such a support group when I was younger, and I'm proud to participate now and offer whatever advice and support possible. Thank you, Brandy and team, for creating such a wonderful resource for women with diabetes!


   IN THE NEWS  

 

SAVE BIG! EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION
($125) OPEN UNTIL FEB 15TH  
 

Early Bird Registration ($125) for the 2013 Weekend for Women Conference in Raleigh (taking place May 3-5, 2013) is going on now. But you'd better hurry because you only have until Feb 15th to get this rate!  Don't wait and miss out on this one-time-only rate.  Don't forget -- you can also bring your partner/significant other this year to participate in his/her own educational/bonding experience.

 

2013 AGENDA AND SPEAKER BIOS

 

There are a limited number of rooms available at the Raleigh Sheraton for discounted group rate of $109/night.  We encourage all attendees to stay at the hotel to benefit from the full experience.  While you are registering, don't forget to register for the Walk- 2013 orange:will Diabetes Awareness Walk.

 

If you would like to attend the Conference, but are unable to due to financial constraints, you may apply for one the five (5) scholarships that are available this year.  Click here to complete a scholarship application.  Deadline is March 1.    

 

If you still need a little more convincing that you and your health are worth it or if you're wondering if it will be a meaningful experience, please watch the video below created by Angela Tedesco, a DiabetesSisters member and Raleigh, NC PODS Leader who attended the Conference in Raleigh, NC last year. 

2012 Weekend for Women, Raleigh, NC 
2012 Weekend for Women Conference  
Picture Montage created by Angela Tedesco 

If you have any questions about the Conference or Partner's Perspective Program, please direct them to Anna Norton atanna@diabetessisters.org.

 

 

2013 ORANGE:WILL DIABETES AWARENESS WALK

LET'S TEAM UP, SISTERS!

 

Have you selected your team name and team members for DiabetesSisters' 2013 orange:will Diabetes Awareness Walk?  If not, would you like to join someone else's team? If you're looking for a team to join-- Rhonda's Rowdies and Summer's Striders are the two teams to beat in this year's event so far! 

Whichever way you get involved- get your sneakers ready for some healthy fun on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 8am in downtown Raleigh, NC.  The Walk, emceed by ABC11 New Anchor, Anna Laurel, starts and ends in front of Raleigh Convention Center.   If you can't attend in person, you can register as a Virtual Walker and still be eligible for the top fund raising prizes.  Whichever way you choose to be involved, you're sure to have a blast. The top three individualfundraisers have their pick of great prizes like airfare for two and $500 travel voucher, an iPad, or a premier exercise bike. The top fundraising team is will be recognized at the Walk and their name will be engraved on DiabetesSisters' walk plaque. 

CALL TO ACTION: Get started fund raising now to get a head start toward winning one of this year's grand prizes!  Click here to register yourself or your team or to make a donation to the Walk.  Don't forget to share your personal fundraising page on Facebook and Twitter to help spread the word.
   
  
PARTNER'S PERSPECTIVE PROGRAM 


The Partner's Perspective Program is back again in 2013!  Not only is it back, but it's even better than ever!  The agenda is packed with opportunities for your spouse/boyfriend/partner to learn from experts and from other partners. 
Think of it as the support group your partner never had, but always needed (and secretly wanted!)  Chris Barnes, husband of DiabetesSisters' Founder Brandy Barnes, and Will Tucker, husband of Donna Tucker, the 2013 orange:will Diabetes Awareness Walk Chair, are leading the charge for this innovative and energetic group of partners. 
 
CALL TO ACTION: Click here to register for the Partner's Perspective Program and view the weekend's agenda.   And .....Don't forget to register your partner for the orange:will Walk.  
 

 

MEMBERS SHOW SISTERLY SUPPORT VIA WE-CARE PROMOTION ON TWITTER
  

DiabetesSisters participated in We-Care's social media campaign to raise money.  Over the week, charities were asked to Tweet a particular message that reference their participation. For each tweet, DiabetesSisters received $.10. DiabetesSisters members and supporters contributed 310 Tweets & Retweets during the week-long campaign! Thank you to those who Tweeted!

  


THIS WEEK I WILLUPDATE: HELP DIABETESSISTERS MEET THE $25,000
GOAL BY FEB 14TH
 
DiabetesSisters only needs 600 more pledges to meet the $25,000 goal in the This Week I Will campaign sponsored byAmylin. For each health pledge made online, Amylin will make a $5 donation to DiabetesSisters. YOUR pledge matters!  
CALL TO ACTION:  Make a good health pledge and participate in the This Week I Will campaign. If everyone makes at least one pledge between now and Feb 14th, we will exceed our goal earlier than expected. Make YOUR good health pledge today!
  
 
THE BEHAVIORAL DIABETES INSTITUTE NEEDS YOUR HELP...
What kind of support does your partner/spouse need?
  
The Behavioral Diabetes Institute is developing the first ever, web-based program to address the emotional stresses of spouses and partners and they need your help! To develop this program, they need partners to complete an online, anonymous, 15-20 minute questionnaire. BDI will use these results to help them understand how partners are struggling and how they can help. These findings will then be used to build the final online program. When completed in early 2013, this program will be available to partners all over the world at no cost.  If you are interested in participating please visitJust-For-Partners-Program

 

 
 

sisterTalk Blog Preview

Pregnancy Blog

by Jennifer  

        JenniferFPregnancyBlogger        

Check out our NEW  pregnancy blogger who has gestational diabetes.  She discusses all of the emotions

involved in diagnosis

READ MORE

In this Issue:
 
Nutrition Tip: 


 REGISTER
for one of our many upcoming events: 

   

 

CURRENT LOCATIONS:

Feb 5th 7pm
Chapel Hill/Graham, NC
Feb 20th, 6:30pm
Chattanooga, TN

Feb 7th 6:30pm
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
Check back next month! 
Coming soon! 
Feb 21st 7pm
Feb 18th, 5:30pm
Feb 12th 7pm
Feb 13th 7pm
Raleigh/Durham, NC
Feb 27th 7pm 
Rochester, NY 
Feb 28th 7pm
 

Feb 8th, 6:30pm

Check back soon!
West Lafayette, IN
Feb 26th 6pm
Woodlawn/Galax, VA 

Feb 21st 6pm

 

For more information about PODS Meet-ups, please email  info@diabetessisters.org 

 

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CONFERENCES 

  

Raleigh, NC

May 3-5, 2013

 The Sheraton Raleigh ($109/night)

 

San Francisco, CA-

October 4-6, 2013 

Embassy Suites- Burlingame ($139/night)

 

View 2012 Conference Photos here:

www.diabetessisters.smugmug.com


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UPCOMING TRAININGS 

PODS Leader Training and Development Call

Feb 11th, 7pm

 

For more information about this training, or to learn more about the PODS program, please contact Anna Norton atanna@diabetessisters.org 

 

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QUARTERLY   
GATHERINGS
2012 - Nov Quarterly Mtg Photos
 (Currently ONLY held in Raleigh, NC)  

  

1st Quarter 2013: 

Date: February 23rd, 1pm

Location: Biaggi's in Cary, NC

Come join us for fun & friendship!

 

For more information about ourQuarterly Gatherings or to RSVP,please send an email toinfo@diabetessisters.org or email Donna Tucker atdonna@diabetessisers.org
 
  


 An Opportunity To 

Give Back:

DiabetesSisters is in need of volunteers in the following areas:

If you can donate your time and expertise and want to be part of a phenomenal group of women, please contact us.

 


Writers Wanted

 

Our partner, Diabetes Health, is looking for writers with Type 2 diabetes as well as partners of people with Type 2 diabetes.  If you (or your partner) are a good writer and willing to share your experiences with type 2 diabetes, please contact Nadia Al-Samarrie
at Diabetes Health with writing samples. 

 


A SPECIAL 

THANK YOU 

TO OUR 2013 

 SPONSORS 

 

         Novo

 

& PARTNERS

  

 

 

 

 

 


  
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  DiabetesSisters 
 2530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 2123
Durham, NC 27713