DiabetesSisters Recognizes 2018 Brandy Barnes Leadership Scholarship Awardees

DiabetesSisters Recognizes 2018 Brandy Barnes Leadership Scholarship Awardees

Raleigh, N.C. (APRIL 25, 2018): DiabetesSisters is pleased to announce that five outstanding volunteer leaders of PODS (Part of DiabetesSisters) Meetups have been selected as recipients of the 2018 Brandy Barnes Leadership Scholarship. The Board of Directors created the scholarship in 2015 to support continuing education and expanded knowledge for PODS Leaders. Scholarship monies are allocated this year to alleviate the cost of registration and/or transportation for DiabetesSisters 2018 Leadership Institute, to be held September 28-30 in Chicago. The Institute develops and enhances leadership skills and expertise in facilitating PODS Meetups, as well as provides additional diabetes education.

PODS Meetups, a signature program of DiabetesSisters, are small group meetings that offer an open, respectful environment for women with diabetes or prediabetes to focus on their own health, and opportunities to share experiences, information, and support with other women who live with diabetes or prediabetes. PODS Meetups include women with all types of diabetes or prediabetes, regardless of whether they were diagnosed yesterday or 40+ years ago.

The five awardees of the 2018 scholarships are as follows:

  • Erika Armani, DiabetesSisters of Denver Metro Area, CO
  • Diane Berinato, DiabetesSisters of Columbus, OH
  • Alejandra Marquez, DiabetesSisters of Greensboro, NC
  • Denise Scheffler, DiabetesSisters of Bridgewater, NJ
  • Jennifer Stanton, DiabetesSisters of Jacksonville, FL

Brandy Barnes, scholarship namesake and founder of DiabetesSisters, was diagnosed with diabetes at age 15. Several years later she realized that there were virtually no specific resources for women with diabetes, particularly when they were going through pregnancy. Barnes founded DiabetesSisters in 2008 and served as the organization’s CEO until 2015. “DiabetesSisters is pleased to award these deserving and dedicated women leaders with funds to attend our 2018 Leadership Institute,” said Anna Norton, MS, CEO of DiabetesSisters. “Their attendance will allow them to gain additional training and education to bring back to their communities, where they continue to make great strides in supporting and educating women on their diabetes journey.”

About DiabetesSisters:
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, DiabetesSisters is the only organization nationwide focusing exclusively on women living with diabetes. Our mission is to improve the health and quality of life of women living with and at risk of developing diabetes and to advocate on their behalf. DiabetesSisters has a 20,000 member peer support network that unites women with diabetes for the purpose of support, education, and advocacy. Signature programs include monthly peer support meetings (PODS Meetups); the Minority Initiative Program; online blogs, forums, and expert articles; and conferences throughout the US. For more information, visit diabetessisters.org.