March 2015 enewsletter

March 2015 enewsletter


 
  

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MARCH 2015 NEWSLETTER, ISSUE 77                                     
Sponsored by
 

 

Dear Anna,   

  

We have just started to see small signs that spring is right around the corner (thank goodness!) and with it, brings new beginnings! For most of us, that means taking a look at our health and wellness and making sure that we're on track. If you've been in a rut during the winter, this is the perfect time to re-evaluate and consider what you can do to make sure we're as healthy and happy as you can be.


For me, spring is a reminder that it's time for me to schedule my annual eye exam. Eye disease is something that I take very seriously because I know that women with diabetes have a higher risk of eye complications throughout their lives. I want to know that I'm doing everything I can to live to the fullest - and that means taking care of every aspect of my health! If your doctor has never mentioned the importance of scheduling an annual eye exam to you (even if you've never had any issues with your vision), bring it up at your next appointment.  Them, make sure to sign up for our Life Class Webinar on Eye Disease on March 18th!

Last but not least, many of you will be talking about Emergency Preparedness in your PODS Meetups this month. Be sure to take a look at some of our tips to stay prepared in this newsletter and on our website! Have a wonderful March, and enjoy the first signs of spring! Moving the clocks forward for Daylight Savings time is one such sign and it is happening this weekend! Let me be the first to with you a Happy Spring!  

 

In sisterhood,
  
Founder & CEO
25+ Triumphant (NOT Perfect!) Years with Diabetes
 


DON'T MISS OUR UPCOMING LIFE CLASS WEBINAR: DIABETES AND EYE DISEASE
 
Presented by Rajeev S. Ramchandran, MD, MBA of Flaum Eye Institute at the University of Rochester and Mary Bregantini of Prevent Blindness 
Often overlooked, diabetic eye disease (caused by diabetes) is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss. This webinar will discuss some of the little known facts about how diabetes affects your eyes and the best ways to take care of your vision along with your diabetes. Dr. Ramchandran will begin by explaining diabetic eye disease and its risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options. Then, Mary Bregantini will connect you with a variety  of resources available to women with diabetes through Prevent Blindness. 

You may submit questions in advance of the webinar to info@diabetessisters.org with subject line: EYE DISEASE WEBINAR

  

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
4:00 - 4:30 P.M. EST

All registered will be entered to win A Women's Guide to Diabetes by Brandy Barnes and Natalie Strand!

 

Did you miss January's webinar on Diabetes Organizing? Find the link to the recording here!
 


MARCH SPOTLIGHT: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Natural disasters, like snowstorms and hurricanes, as well as personal emergencies such as forgetting your diabetes supplies on vacation can leave women living with diabetes feeling unprepared and overwhelmed. We've listed a few tips to help prepare for these emergencies, and leave you feeling confident and prepared!
 
1) Purchase extra supplies. Backup glucose meters, device batteries, and insulin can make a world of difference in an emergency!
 
2) Keep a copy of all of your prescriptions and their doses in case anyone else needs to take over. This will make resupplying much easier, and keep worries at bay.
 
3) Know where your quick-acting carbohydrates live, and make sure someone else knows too! This will help for extreme lows, if you're unable to grab the glucose tabs or juice boxes yourself. 
 

4) Stay on track now to better prepare for unexpected events. Skipping meals, loading up on sugary foods, and derailing your own diet can be hazardous during emergency situations. By maintaining healthy blood sugar levels now, you can be better equipped to handle any situation. 

 

For more tips and tricks, see: 10 Tips for Emergency Preparedness
 


DIABETES AND EYE DISEASE

fur-woman-eyes.jpg 
 

Did you know: Women living with diabetes have an elevated risk of diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma.

 

To manage these risks, remember these 4 things: 

 

1) Keep your blood sugar levels under control. This can decrease your risk immensely, and even slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy if you already have it!

  

2) See your ophthalmologist once a year for a dilated eye exam. Regular doctor visits do not test for and treat retinopathy.

  

3) Take care of your overall health by quitting smoking and managing your blood pressure. It is important to address these big risk factors for eye disease as soon as possible!   

 

4) See your eye doctor if you have blurry vision, red eyes, trouble reading or seeing, or pain and pressure in your eyes. If something feels off do not hesitate to make an appointment. 

 


NEW PARTNERSHIP: BLACK WOMEN'S HEALTH IMPERATIVE
DiabetesSisters is proud to announce our new partnership with Black Women's Health Imperative
 
Who They Are:
BWHI is an organization equally committed to raising awareness among Black women of how to prevent, manage, and reduce the risk of complications related to diabetes.
 
What This Means:
This partnership will allow both organizations to empower Black women through providing vital information, resources, and support for women living with, or at risk for, diabetes.
 
Find the full press release about the partnership here!
 


DiabetesSisters helps to connect women living with diabetes through peer support, education, and advocacy that improves their health and quality of life.  We invite you to be part of expanding that network of sisterhood and strength by joining our new Sister Strength Monthly Giving program.

     
Set up your monthly gift today: Together we will build a stronger future for women with diabetes!
  
 

SAVE THE DATE

  
Tomorrow, March 6th, at 2 pm EST, 11 am PST, our very own Brandy Barnes will be speaking with co-author and 2010 Amazing Race winner Natalie Strand about their new book, A Woman's Guide to Diabetes
To watch the interview: simply go towww.tudiabetes.org at the appointed time and click on the "play" button in the center of the video to start watching!
 
Purchase your copy TODAY:
(or in bookstores nationwide)

Book review  written by Amy Tenderich of Diabetes Mine
 


 sisterTALK Blogs

Explore tips from our experts and stories from women like you who live with diabetes. Get connected, then join the discussion.

 

ask the cde
 
emotional well-being
 
nutrition
 
type 1
 
 
type 2
 
 
 
pregnancy/motherhood
 
SisterSTAFF
 
 



 

 San Fernando Valley, CA

March 2, 6 p.m.
 

Chattanooga, TN

March 5, 6:30 p.m.

 

Durham, NC
March 9, 6:30 p.m.

 

Clifton Park, NY

March 10 6:30 p.m.

 

Oradell, NJ
March 10, 7 p.m.

 

Colonie, NY
March 11, 6 p.m.

 

 Kern County, CA

March 12, 6 p.m.

 

Rochester, NY
March 12, 6 p.m.

 

Ashland, MA

March 12, 6 p.m.

 

Raleigh, NC

March 12, 6:30 p.m.

 

Philadelphia, PA

March 12, 7 p.m.

 

Lafayette, IN

March 17, 6 p.m.

 

Greensboro, NC

March 17, 6 p.m.

 

Reno, NV

March 17, 7 p.m.

 

Princeton, NJ

March 18, 7 p.m.

 

East Greenbush, NY

March 19, 6:30 p.m.

 

VIRTUAL PODS

March 19, 8 p.m.

 

Denver, CO

March 24, 6:30 p.m.

 

Woodbridge, NJ

March 25, 7 p.m.

 

Austin, TX

March 26, 7 p.m.

 

Would you like to participate in our Virtual PODS Meetup?
Please email us atinfo@diabetessisters.org, subject line: VIRTUAL PODS 
 


YOUR TESTIMONIALS
    
On Meeting Personal Goals: 
"I just wanted to share with you the fabulous news that my A1C is 7.0. My doctor wants me to be lower, but at least this is a wonderful start for me! Thanks for your support!"
 
On DS Conferences:
"Cutting edge info!"
 
On Sisterhood:
"I am honored to have taken part in creating a space where we all feel safe to share, unload, support and learn."
 
Do you wish to share how DiabetesSisters has helped you manage diabetes better? Email us as info@diabetessisters.org
 


ENJOY A DIABETES MAKEOVER
     
Are you frustrated with the lack of fun, fresh, wearable diabetes accessories?
With Myabetic, diabetes never looked so good!Myabetic offers wallets, purses, pouches and more designed to mask your supplies and look great.
 
Our partner at Myabetic, Kyrra Richards, is celebrating 7 years of living with diabetes.  As a result,
ALL DiabetesSisters members will receive a 15% discount on these amazing products! Just use
offer code DSISTERS at checkout.
 
 for your own Diabetes Makeover!
 


 

STAY CONNECTED!    

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6015 Fayetteville Road, Suite 213
 | Durham, NC 27713 |  919-361-2012 | info@diabetessisters.org
 
 
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