Greetings!
Despite the continuous threat of snow storms, Spring 2013 will soon be upon us. Every year, as soon as the first warm daily high temperature reaches higher than 65 degrees, I feel the desire to clean out and "make things new again." That often means a new 'spring-feeling' comforter for our bed and some bright additions around the house. Sometimes, it even means cleaning out closets and, if I'm really adventurous-- cleaning out the garage. (No, I haven't been that adventurous yet this year!)
As Spring Fever reaches various regions of the US and Canada, my hope is that you will clean out the cobwebs that have formed around your health and diabetes management over the winter by joining us at the 2013 at the Weekend for Women Conference in May. Consider it an essential part of your spring cleaning! In fact, tell your family that you need some time away during the first weekend in May for some very important spring cleaning. As long as they don't have to help with the spring cleaning that weekend, I'm sure they will not protest!
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| March 2013 DiabetesSisters Newsletter Intro |
In Sisterhood,
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2013 Weekend for Women Conference
Spotlight Series
Rhonda Beese
2012 Top Fundraising Team Captain
As a woman with type 1 diabetes for almost 19 years, I was thrilled to have a mostly-normal pregnancy and a healthy baby girl in 2011. However, with it came with the cost of added weight and lots of blood sugar changes. After my daughter was born, it took several months to get my sugars back in order. It took even longer to really focus on being more active and losing weight.
In 2012, I participated for the first time in the Weekend for Women Conference and the orange:will Diabetes Awareness Walk. I created a team, Rhonda's Rowdies, and began to secure my friends, family and co-workers to donate & walk with me. It really took off and I become a top fundraiser. I was excited that one of the main prizes was an exercise bike. I selected it as my prize to make sure I added exercise to my weight-loss routine. I figured, if the bike was inside my house, I'd have NO excuse to not use it, rain or shine.
Before the bike was delivered, I started working on changing my diet and counting calories using an app, MyFitnessPal, on my phone. It really helped me track what I was eating and see what was really going into my body. By the time the bike was delivered, I was ready to start making exercise a part of my daily routine. I began riding in small snippets of time. Shortly after I started exercising, the weight started coming off little by little. I began to feel better and I noticed I had so much more energy than before. My daughter had become more mobile and was a fast runner. I was able to play with and chase her with much more ease than before. We were able to stay and play at the park longer because I didn't tire as quickly as I did before. That's all worth it right there - spending more time playing with my daughter!
In the past year, I've lost around 45 lbs. I am continuing to work toward my optimal weight. A combination of exercise on my bike, paying attention to calorie intake, and staying motivated helps me realize that slow and steady CAN win the race. I am all the more happier for it.
I'm leading Rhonda's Rowdies again this year. We're going strong in fundraising and I am hoping to win another fabulous prize. Maybe another great piece of exercise equipment to add to the exercise bike that helped me begin my transformation!
Register today for the orange:will Diabetes Awareness Walk and make your team the 2013 top fund raising team!
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IN THE NEWS
 WHY ARE YOU ATTENDING THE 2013 WEEKEND FOR WOMEN CONFERENCE?
I'm excited to go to the Weekend for Women Conference this year. I can't wait to bond with my Sisters, feel supported and understood.
Kelli Turner
This year, I'm meeting a Sister whom I've been chatting with on Facebook. It's my second year attending and her first. I'm looking forward to introducing her to other Sisters and going to the Relationship Panel Discussion to hear from women just like me!
Regina Kaiser
Going to the conference makes me feel human. Knowing there are other women there who share my exact story makes me feel comforted. After I attended the 2012 Weekend for Women Conference, I didn't feel alone any longer.
Jennifer Cerasa
Your reasons for attending the Conference may be different. Maybe they are the same. Either way, you will find the 2013 Weekend for Women Conference in Raleigh, NC on May 3-5, 2012 the most rewarding & fulfilling event you attend in 2013. You ARE worth it! Your health should be a top priority. Don't wait until the last minute toregister. Bring your partner/significant other this year to participate in his/her own educational/bonding experience. Register today.
UPDATED 2013 AGENDAÂ AND SPEAKER BIOSÂ
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 of the Conference. Are you looking for a roommate to share the expense of your hotel room? Please visit our online Women's Forum and meet other Sisters who may also need to share accommodations.
Lori Veliquette, PODS Leader in Novato, CA, created the video posted below to share her experience at last year's Weekend for Women Conference in Raleigh, NC.
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| DS conference video |
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 registered for the 2013 orange:will Diabetes Awareness Walk on May 4th at 8am? Have you created your team and recruited walkers to help support DiabetesSisters? Now is the time to show your commitment and help us raise necessary funds to continue to grow DiabetesSisters' programs and services.
The Walk, emceed by ABC11 New Anchor, Anna Laurel, starts and ends in front of Raleigh Convention Center. Not local? Sign up as a virtual walker. PODS Leaders in other cities: create a team from your PODS Members, head on over to your local park and walk as we walk in Raleigh! There's no excuse for not participating!
ALL fundraisers- both local and virtual- are eligible to win prizes! This year's prizes include a trip for two, an Apple iPad, and many other great surprises. The top fundraising team is will be recognized at the Walk and their name will be engraved on DiabetesSisters' Annual Walk plaque. Don't miss out on this friendly competition, while raising awareness and support for women with diabetes.
At print-time, the top three fundraisers were: Anna Norton ($540), Rhonda Beese ($280) and Summer Barnes ($195). Top fundraising teams included: Team Norton ($680), Rhonda's Rowdies ($395) and Sisters of Epione ($270).
CALL TO ACTION: Sign up for the Walk TODAY and get a head start toward winning one of this year's grand prizes! Register yourself, create a team, or make a personal donation to the Walk. When you create your fundraising page, share it on your Facebook page and Twitter feed to help spread the word.
 PARTNERS SPOTLIGHTED ON
On Valentine's Day, three DiabetesSisters' Partners were spotlighted in the Diabetes Partner Follies Series on DiabetesMine. Take a minute to read about these three wonderful D-husbands. Their support is amazing and their stories insightful!
All three men were instrumental in the 2012 Partner's Perspective Program. Maybe 2013 is the year that your partner wants to join you at the Conference? Maybe this year is his time to receive support, ask questions and learn more about diabetes and how it affects women. The Partner's Perspective Agenda is packed with opportunities for your partner to learn from experts and from other partners - like Chris, Will and Dink.
DIABETESSISTERS COLLABORATES WITH JDRF TO PUBLISH PREGNANCY TOOLKIT
Planning a pregnancy with type 1 diabetes requires special consideration to help ensure a healthy outcome for mother and child. Having access to the right information and the right resources are a critical component that is often hard to find. That's why the JDRF teamed up with DiabetesSistersFounder, Brandy Barnes, Six Until Me Founder (and 2013 Weekend for Women Conference Speaker), Kerri Sparling, and Scott's Diabetes Founder, Scott Johnson to make this information easily accessible for women with diabetes. This toolkit covers everything you've ever wanted to know about pregnancy from disease management goals during pregnancy to advice for obtaining the best possible support from healthcare providers at every stage of pregnancy. If you are currently pregnant or planning a pregnancy,read JDRF's Pregnancy Toolkit and print a copy for your nightstand.
THIS WEEK I WILL UPDATE: DIABETESSISTERS MET THE $25,000
GOAL ON FEB 22ND
DiabetesSisters was the first organization to complete the 5,000 pledge requirement to receive $25,000 in the This Week I Willcampaign sponsored by Amylin. Thank you, everyone, for making your weekly pledges and thank you for encouraging your family and friends to do the same. YOUR pledges brought us across the finish line first! YOUR pledges and weekly commitment made the difference. Thank you!
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sisterTalk Blog Preview
Student Blog
by Hope
"My diabetes makes me NO DIFFERENT from anyone else..."
READ MORE
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In this Issue:
Nutrition Tip:
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REGISTER
for one of our many upcoming events:
Coming soon!
Check back next month!
Mar 18th, 5:30pm
Mar 12th 7pm
Mar 8th, 6:30pm
Mar 26th 6pm
For more information about PODS Meet-ups, please email info@diabetessisters.org
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QUARTERLY
GATHERINGS
Sisters at the February 2013 Quarterly Gathering in Cary, NC
2nd Quarter 2013:
Date: May 4, 2013, 8am
Location: orange:will Diabetes Awareness Walk, Raleigh Convention Center
Come join us for fun & friendship!
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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, pleasecontact us.
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American Diabetes Association to Partner with DiabetesSisters at Upcoming Walk:
Stop By for Your Gift!
The 2013 orange;will Diabetes Awareness Walk will provide an opportunity for Red Striders, those living with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, to reunite and share with the community the importance of diabetes awareness-- with an emphasis on women.
Please visit the Red Striders' tent on May 4th for more information and to learn more about the Red Strider Program.
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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.
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A SPECIAL
THANK YOU
TO OUR 2013
SPONSORS
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STAY IN TOUCH
DiabetesSisters
2530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 2123
Durham, NC 27713
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