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Dear Sister,
Have you started packing your bags? If not, be sure to pack lots of orange clothing, and don't forget your "nice" orange dress for Saturday evening. For those of you who don't know my husband, Chris, I'd like to introduce you (and your partner/spouse) to him before you arrive at the event. Chris is leading the Partner's Perspective Program, and he has some great things in store for the partners. In fact, I'll let him tell you a little about it. (We still have spaces available if you want to register your partner/husband/boyfriend. Click HERE to register.)
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| Chris Barnes, Partner's Perspective Program Manager |
See you soon,
Brandy Barnes
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SISTER SPOTLIGHT:
Natalie Strand
I have been living with Type 1 diabetes now for over 21 years. I've lived with diabetes through sorority life at a large state college, through many grueling years of medical school and residency, through a crazy adventure around the globe during The Amazing Race, and countless other situations where I've found an entirely new set of variables and challenges.
Like everyone with diabetes, I'm constantly trying to "figure it out." For many years I thought the end of high blood sugars and low blood sugars was around the corner. When I was a college student, I thought that as soon as the variables of college life were behind me I would "figure it out." Then, when I started medical school, I realized that the strenuous course load came with a lot of stress. I didn't find the perfect situation to get my diabetes in tip-top shape. Again, I thought that the next phase of life, my residency, would be the time I could finally fine-tune my diabetes. Of course, what I found was that the 80-hour work weeks and 24-hour shifts left little energy for making the overhaul in my diabetes management that I was craving. I finally realized that life was not going to offer me a perfect situation for my diabetes makeover.
If there is one lesson I have learned that I would love to share with my diabetes sisters, it's that there is no perfect time of life to make that giant change in diabetes management. However, it's ALWAYS the perfect time to make those small changes that end up making a huge improvement in self-care. I made two mistakes in the past. First, I was waiting for this magical time with no stress. Second, I was focused on making a giant change that was not realistic. When I shifted my focus to making small improvements, I found room and energy for those small changes even in the craziest of situations.
Over the past few years, my small changes approach has led to enormous gains. My blood sugars are more stable, I have more experience with new technologies, and I feel more connected to my diabetes team. My diabetes management is the best it has ever been. Smaller efforts and more success? Now that's something to be happy about!
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DiabetesSisters News Briefs
CONFERENCE AND PARTNER'S PROGRAM PROVIDE INVALUABLE INFO AND SUPPORT
Both the Weekend for Women Conference and The Partner's Perspective Program are filled with opportunities to socialize and learn from leading experts in the field. More than 21 states will be represented by women ranging in age from 20-81. If you have never attended one of these events or your husband/partner hasn't, you are in for a special treat. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and let it all hang out!
ATTENTION: Karen Vettel was inspired by ladies at last year's conference who showed off their hula hooping skills at Saturday's Dinner Program. Amazed by the sheer enjoyment and the great workout hooping provided, Karen began making hula hoops. "Hoop Fever" caught on among her grandchildren and the Pre-K class at Millbrook Elementary School in Raleigh, NC. Now, she is on a mission to share her love of hula hooping with her Sisters at the Conference. If you are attending the Conference, you can pre-order your orange hula hoop by emailing her atkvettel2000@yahoo.com.
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Summer Barnes, age 7, explains why you should be there.
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2012 ORANGE:WILL WALK SET TO BE A SPECTACULAR COMMUNITY-WIDE EVENT
Come on out and join us on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 8am in front of the Raleigh Convention Center for the 2012 orange:will Diabetes Awareness Walk. It's ONLY 1-mile! There be awesome prizes/giveaways and fun activities. Don't miss our great on-site vendors such as Omnipod, UNC, Duke, and The Farmer's Market. Unleashed will also provide doggie watering stations--so bring your leashed pets with you! Please SUPPORT WOMEN WITH DIABETES by registering as a Walker, a Virtual Walker, or by making a donation. EVERY registrant who raises at least $40 by Wednesday, May 16th (the fundraising cutoff date), will receive a souvenir t-shirt to wear at the Walk.
With your help, we will raise awareness about the unique issues faced by women with diabetes and establish orange as the official color for women's diabetes. Our fundraising goal is $20,000, and we're about halfway there. MAKE YOUR MARK by making a donation to the cause HERE. (Note: A light breakfast will be provided to registered walkers.)
 NEW INCENTIVE PRIZE
FOR TOP FUNDRAISERS
In addition to the three previously announced incentive prizes, DiabetesSisters is pleased to offer a FOURTH fundraising incentive prize, which comes from celebrity chef Paula Deen, DiabetesSisters' newest supporter! Thank you to our other prize sponsors--Travel Experts, jetBlue, ABC Fitness, Stewart Group Enterprises, Omega Sports, VSP Vision Care.
The top FOUR INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISERS will choose from the following prizes (updated):
- 2-Night stay at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Orlando, FL, with Airfare for 2 provided by JetBlue (Valued at over $2,000)
- Life Fitness 95Ri Lifecycle Exercise Bike (Valued at over $1,500)
- 32GB iPad (Valued at over $550)
- Paula Deen Gift Basket (includes a signed Southern Cooking Bible, a signed copy of Paula Deen's Memoir, an Apron, Tea towels, Pewter measuring cup set, and $75 gift card good at The Lady and Sons, Uncle Bubba's Oyster House, or The Paula Deen Store)
AND... each of the top three fund raisers will have their choice of one pair of designer sunglasses OR one pair of running shoes.
INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING LEADERS
1) Julie Yungmann
$1,785 raised | 20 supporters
2) Summer Barnes- Durham, NC
$956 raised | 34 supporters
3) Rhonda Beese - Raleigh, NC
$875 raised | 20 supporters
The TOP fundraising team will also be recognized at the Walk with a special prize. Check out the top fundraising teams below:
1 - JULIE's TEAM $1,785
2 - Girl Power $1,332
3 - Rational Rowdies $1,090
If you will not be in town on May 20th or if you are not local, you can register as a Virtual Walker! All Walkers and Virtual Walkers are eligible for fundraising incentive prizes.
Better hurry! Fundraising deadline for prizes is Wednesday, May 16th at 12 noon.
DIABETESSISTERS' FOUNDER
APPEARS ON RADIO SHOW
DiabetesSisters Founder Brandy Barnes was recently interviewed by Chris Golightly, the radio show host of The Blood Sugar Wizard. Chris' show airs LIVE on Tuesdays at 11am on www.beachcitiesradio.com.
DIABETESMINE LAUNCHES
NEW CONTEST
Diabetes Mine just launched a new Patient Voices Contest in which diabetes patients and caregivers can voice their concerns about diabetes device design directly to the "Powers That Be"- Pharma R&D, investors, etc.To enter, patients and caregivers simply submit a 2-3 minute video to http://www.diabetesmine.com/designcontest describing what they would like to see from diabetes device makers and what issues they have with the current technology. Deadline: June 12, 2012. The prizes for 10 winners of this exciting new contest are:
- an all-expense-paid trip to the 2012 DiabetesMine Innovation Summit at Stanford University in Palo, CA (taking place Nov 16, 2012)
- a brand-spanking new iBGStar from Sanofi-Aventis, the first-ever plug-in glucose meter for the iPhone and iTouch!
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Volunteer of the Month:
Regina Kaiser
DiabetesSisters extends a sincere Thank You to
Regina Kaiser
After hearing about DiabetesSisters from a friend and seeing an article in the Winter 2011 Diabetic Living magazine, Regina realized that getting involved would be an opportunity to make managing her diabetes a priority in her life. Soon thereafter, she began attending planning meetings for the 2012 Weekend for Women Conference and Walk and quickly became an integral part of the conference planning committee.
This Spring, Regina has spearheaded the public relations effort for the conference. In doing so she has not only grown the conference's media presence, but also learned a lot about living with diabetes. She says "In the past I was angry at my diabetes and felt shamed. Being a part of DiabetesSisters has taught me that there are many faces of diabetes - and we are living healthily, strong and confident. Joining and working with DiabetesSisters has given me the courage to embrace my diabetes and not feel shameful. The other DS women I've met are successful, intelligent and living a healthy life with diabetes. It's a very empowering group. One I am honored to be a part of."
DiabeteSisters is extremely grateful to Regina for sharing her public relations expertise and for her dedication to making the Weekend for Women Conference a great success. To read more about the upcoming Weekend for Women Conference and the Walk, please visit our website.
DiabetesSisters thanks Regina and each member of our
volunteer team for their dedication to the organization.
Your contribution is appreciated!
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STAY IN TOUCH!
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DiabetesSisters
2530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 2123
Durham, NC 27713
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TAKE A STAND
for Women with Diabetes TODAY!
REGISTER for the 2012 orange:will Diabetes Awareness Walk
(even if you can't attend in person, you can be a Virtual Walker or make a donation!)
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FOR AN UPCOMING
EVENT:
May 16th 7pm
May 8th 6:30pm
TBD
June 6th 7pm
May 16th 6pm
May 17th 7pm
May 11th 6:30pm
TBD
May 24th 6:30pm
June 7th 6:30pm
May 17th 6:00pm
Bracey, VA
Will be back in JUNE!
May 17th 7:00pm
For more information about PODS Meet-ups, please emailinfo@diabetessisters.org
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QUARTERLY GATHERINGS
Speaker: Dr. Allen Ashforth
Topic: The Power of Positive Thinking
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UPCOMING CONFERENCE
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PARTNER'S PERSPECTIVE PROGRAM:
Raleigh, NC- May 18-20, 2012
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UPCOMING WALK:
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Raleigh, NC - May 20th, 2012, 8am
Open to ALL! Men, Women, Children, & Leashed Pets
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A SPECIAL
THANK YOU
TO OUR 2012 SPONSORS
&
PARTNERS
 
 
 
Official Media Sponsor
Official Beverage Sponsor
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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, please contact us.
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