Bridgewater PODS Leader Anne Dalin met her now co-leader, Denise Scheffler, at the Princeton PODS Meetup. Anne had led a PODS Meetup in another New Jersey location a few years before that. Anne and Denise became friends and after some discussion, realized it would be great to have a Meetup closer to where they live. They decided to find a location for a new Meetup that was halfway between where they each live. And so DiabetesSisters of Bridgewater, NJ was born.
The Bridgewater group usually has about 12 members attending the PODS Meetups. Recent topics the group has discussed include: what works well and could work better with current health care teams, styles, and treatments; nutrition and recipes, healthy options for meals and snacks and where to find/purchase them; and how to have a positive outlook while living with diabetes. The group experienced a cooking demonstration together, to learn about incorporating healthy spices and ingredients into their daily lives – followed by trying samples of the various dishes that were made. It was a huge hit! 
PODS members enjoy the warm community and peer support that Denise and Anne have built into the group. Both leaders try to help all the members with anything they are willing to share with the group. As Denise puts it, “We all learn from each other. Each person at the meeting is so important, and we get closer with each month’s meeting.”
The PODS is important to Anne and Denise as women living with diabetes. Anne says, “Our DiabetesSisters PODS provides great support, which helps me stay on track too.” Denise agrees: “DiabetesSisters gives me a place where others understand how I feel and what I go through with my diabetes. This group has been life-changing for me.”
Since 2010 the Part Of DiabetesSisters (PODS) Meetup program has offered monthly support to women living with any type of diabetes or prediabetes, and provided a nonjudgmental place to discuss the successes and challenges of living with diabetes. Led by women lwho live with diabetes, the groups offer true peer support focused on women and diabetes. The PODS Meetup Program reaches more than 1,300 women annually, in person (in 22 states) and online (members meet via computer cameras from the comfort of their own home). Women age 18 and up, living with any type of diabetes or prediabetes, are invited to attend PODS Meetups. If you would like more information on local PODS Meetups near you, or starting a group in your community, please complete the PODS Meetup inquiry form – we look forward to hearing from you!