Diabetes Blog – Happy-Medium.net

With the end of the year approaching, I wanted to write a few blog posts with the idea of pointing you toward some important (to me, anyway) diabetes organizations.

One other thing: I was not asked to write nor am I getting anything for writing about these groups.

Diabetes Community Advocacy Foundation

Originally started as Diabetes Social Media Advocacy (hence the #DSMA hashtag), the Diabetes Community Advocacy Foundation officially became a non-profit organization in 2012.

Founded by Cherise Shockley, DCAF is meant to connect people living with and affected by diabetes, both through social media and in real life. It is everything its name suggests, but it is so much more than that too. Its outreach is many and varied, encompassing initiatives that are well known and not so well known, including:

– DSMA Twitter Chats: Every Wednesday night at 9:00 eastern time here in the USA, friends from around the world get together via Twitter and discuss diabetes. Actually, they discuss their lives, with diabetes as a common thread. But of course, it’s way more than that. There are usually questions and answers surrounding a common topic, and there are questions (and answers) from individuals logging on. With a ton of laughter and encouragement thrown in for good measure. For many, this is the gateway to the rest of the Diabetes Online Community, and for that alone, it’s worth a contribution to DCAF. It always leaves me feeling so happy that I stayed up for it. If you haven’t already, you’re encouraged to join the conversation by following the @DiabetesSocMed Twitter account or the #DSMA hashtag.

– DSMA Live, DSMA Live En Vivo, and DSMA ‘Rents Podcasts: Using a various lineup of amazing hosts, DSMA Live (Thursdays at 9:00 ET), DSMA En Vivo (in Spanish every other Tuesday at 9:00 ET), and DSMA ‘Rents (every other Monday at 9:00 ET) take an hour to focus on one topic or one person. Whether it’s diabetes research, a new D initiative, managing your diabetes, diabetes and exercise, or special and unique events in the diabetes world, these three podcasts will keep you informed and educated. And of course, you’re encouraged to phone in and be part of the talk too. Find out more on any of these and connect to the podcasts by going to the DCAF page on Blog Talk Radio.

– Blue Fridays: A simple way to spread awareness and show support for those living with diabetes, DCAF has been the leader of the Blue Fridays initiative. You’re encouraged to Think Blue – Wear Blue every Friday and on World Diabetes Day. There’s even a Facebook page. It’s an easy way to get your advocacy on each and every week.

Those are just some of the unique ideas that have come from this passionate organization. The recently retired DSMA Blog Carnival and some in-person DSMA Live events are a couple of additional highlights. DCAF is an organization that is not afraid to try something new, not afraid to look toward the next horizon if there’s a way to support and uplift People With Diabetes. If there’s a way to connect people living with and affected by diabetes, Cherise is interested in making it happen.

Would you like to help make it happen? To make a donation to Diabetes Community Advocacy Foundation, simply go here and click on the Donate button:
http://diabetescaf.org/2012/11/supporting-dsma-through-dcaf/
 
 
Disclosure: In the past, I’ve written Blog Carnival posts for DCAF, and more recently, I’ve been honored to moderate a few installments of the weekly DSMA Twitter chat. Strictly pro bono… I am not compensated in any way for doing so.