DiabetesSisters of Greater Philadelphia, PA

DiabetesSisters of Greater Philadelphia, PA

About five years ago, Tara Weiss got an email that a new DiabetesSisters PODS Meetup was starting in the Greater Philadelphia area, and decided to try it. She loved being able to talk with a group of women living with diabetes who had gone through similar experiences as she had. When the PODS Leader at the time needed to step down from leading a few years later, Tara did not want the PODS to disappear. She agreed to lead and keep the group going. That was in 2016.
 
The small but strong group talks about everything diabetes - from different recipes and menus for cooking for one's entire family, to exercise and traveling, to everyday challenges, to new diabetes technology and medications, to different ways they manage their diabetes. Members love that the group is only for women, so that they can talk about things that might be difficult to share in a co-ed group. They also appreciate that the group is smaller, so that they can have thoughtful discussions together. They all feel comfortable talking about their diabetes with each other in the group. Some members do exercise together outside of the group, or even travel together.
 
For Tara, "It's really nice to not feel alone. I like knowing other women going through the same thing that I go through with diabetes. If it wasn't for DiabetesSisters, I would be in a very bad place with my diabetes."
 

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 who 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, please complete the PODS Meetup inquiry form – we look forward to hearing from you!