Tag Archives: jdrf

Like these links– #NEDAwareness and more.

February 27, 2013 – 9:08 am

Let’s get right to it…

I can’t confess to having a serious eating disorder, but I know that I have way too much of an affection for salty carbs. Potato chips, pretzels, popcorn… you get the idea. Sometimes I get mad at myself for it. Other times, I redouble my efforts and try to remember that moderation is always best.

This is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and it goes by the theme “Everybody Knows Somebody”. Ain’t that the truth. Everybody knows somebody who could use a word of encouragement, support, cheering to let them know that they are not alone. And guess what? Having Type 1 diabetes (like I do) can double your chances of developing an eating disorder, according to a recent report. So spread the word. Lend a hand. Send a message of support. Blog about it. To find out more about NEDAwareness, and what you can do, go to:
http://nedaw.myneda.org/about
 
 
I don’t have any kids, but I still check in to see what some of those great D-Moms and D-Dads are up to from time to time. Diabetes Dad Tom Karlya has a series of great posts this week. They go all the way back to Sunday and Monday, with Tom’s call to action to do what we can to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. But all of this week’s posts are great, so go and check them out:
http://diabetesdad.org/
 
 
I don’t know how to explain this, but I wanted to mention it so you could attend, if you’re near the D.C. area; and so you could comment, which you may very well want to do regardless of where you are. The FDA is holding a meeting of its Device Good Manufacturing Practice Advisory Committee on April 11, 2013 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The meeting is about Extreme Weather Effects on Medical Device Safety and Quality. I’m thinking you might have a suggestion or two. To find out about the meeting, and to make a comment, start here:
http://www.regulations.gov/?source=govdelivery#!documentDetail;D=FDA-2013-N-0118-0001
 
 
And just one more mention of the JDRF Type 1 Diabetes Research Summit taking place in Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday, March 9. It’s an all day affair that promises great educational opportunities and chances to network with other like-minded souls. It’s free to attend. Wanna go? Go here first:
http://www.jdrfsummit.org/
 
 
That’s it for now. Have a great Wednesday!
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Like these links | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)

The Friday Buzz.

January 18, 2013 – 9:23 am

Three quick things for you on this Friday:

1. JDRFSummit

Registration for the 2013 JDRF Type 1 Diabetes Research Summit is underway. No less than five of the people working on the Artificial Pancreas at the University of Virginia’s Center for Diabetes Technology will be there. Tired of hearing me talk about it (I think I’ve done something like five posts on the subject)? Here’s your chance to get the details straight from the source. I’ve heard all five of them speak, and let me tell you, it’s worth the trip. There will also be a couple of sessions related to islet cell research by representatives from Duke University and MIT.

It promises to be a very informative and inspirational day in Bethesda, Maryland (just outside of Washington, DC). For more information and to register, go to http://www.jdrfsummit.org

2. I’m starting a special series right here beginning this Sunday. I haven’t really done any preparation for it… but that’s part of the plan. I hope you’ll check in next week to find out more.

3. Finally… listen, Boston teams have won enough over the last 15 years or so. So move over New England… Here comes Baltimore. Go Ravens!
 
 
My apologies to those of you who don’t follow American football. Enjoy the weekend…
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Fridays | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)

It’s a busy month.

November 12, 2012 – 10:03 am

It is indeed a busy week inside of a busy month. So here’s a quick primer on some upcoming events:

– The American Diabetes Association is still collecting photos for their A Day in the Life of Diabetes project. They’re asking for people to take photos of their life with diabetes and upload them to the ADA Facebook page. CVS Pharmacy will donate $1 for every photo uploaded, up to $25,000 dollars. In addition to that, the Association is going to take some of the photos and project them onto the walls of Washington D.C’s iconic Union Station this Tuesday and Wednesday, which is World Diabetes Day. I’ve got Wednesday off of work… maybe I can get down there to get a look in person.

– Speaking of money for worthy causes, Diabetes Hands Foundation reminds you that you’ve still got a couple of days to participate in the Big Blue Test. Five dollars for every test logged will be contributed by Roche Diabetes Care to organizations that provide life-saving supplies and services to PWDs in need. If 20,000 take the test before World Diabetes Day, $100,000 life-saving dollars will be donated. As I publish this post, over 15,000 have participated. Only 5,000 more Big Blue Tests need to be logged before Wednesday! So get out there and work it out people! For more info, and to log your test, go to bigbluetest.org

– Locally, the Maryland JDRF chapter is hosting their Night of Hope Gala Saturday night in downtown Baltimore. They’re hoping you can attend. But if not, they’re also looking for volunteers to help with everything from checking coats to busing tables. For more information on the gala, go to jdrfmd.org/

– Finally… of course, there are many things happening this Wednesday on World Diabetes Day. All over the world, people will be dressed in blue and forming human Blue Circles and lighting monuments in blue. Many other happenings will be happening, and to find out more about all of it, go to http://www.idf.org/worlddiabetesday

Have a super (busy) week!
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Like these links | Also tagged , , , | Comments (2)

Champions for The Cause.

October 24, 2012 – 1:52 pm

I want to recognize a few people today. I like shining a light on someone else’s accomplishments. It helps me to remember that I’m not the only one with an important story to tell.

You’ve probably read about Jeff Mather, Victoria Cumbow, and Moira McCarthy, and their participation in the JDRF Ride for a Cure in California this past weekend. Congratulations to all for making it through the day!

Obviously, there are no circumstances under which biking through Death Valley is easy. It’s hard. 100 degree heat, altitude fluctuations from sea level to 1,250 feet, and a 105 mile course. Think about that for a second… now, add diabetes to the ride (like Victoria and Jeff had to do). I am in awe of their accomplishments, and a little jealous too. I wish I could’ve been there. But this is not about me.

It’s about the amazing amounts of money these people raised for JDRF. Together, the three of them raised over 52 thousand dollars to help fund research and find a cure. Can you believe that? Do you know how significant that is?

So before too much time gets away, let me say it: Thank you. Thank you for doing this for me. Thank you for doing this for the kids. Thank you for doing this for the parents.

Your efforts, both physical and financial, are a big shot in the arm (no pun intended) for all of us affected by this disease. In my book, you are all Champions.

Now get some rest.

To read Victoria’s story, click here

To read Jeff’s story, click here

To read Moira’s story, click here

There’s still time to contribute to one or more of these riders:

Victoria Cumbow

Jeff Mather

Moira McCarthy
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Also tagged , | Comments (4)

JDRF and ADA Events.

October 23, 2012 – 10:01 am

That’s right… I put both of those organizations into the same headline. That’s because there are a couple of things coming up that you should know about:

– The American Diabetes Association is doing a Twitter chat this Wednesday. No, it’s not at 8:00 p.m… that’s the DSMA Twitter chat. The ADA Twitter chat is at 1:00 p.m. EST here in the USA (10:00 a.m. on the West coast, 6:00 p.m. in the UK, 4:06 a.m. in Melbourne & Sydney).
The chat is all about patients rights. To participate, you can follow the ADA Twitter handle (@AmDiabetesAssn), and look for the hashtag #DiabetesRights. Katie Hathaway, Managing Director in ADA’s Legal Advocacy group, will be answering questions. Promises to be an interesting hour.

– JDRF is sponsoring Be T1D For A Day in November. This is an opportunity where non-Type 1’s can sign up to receive text messages that will simulate the various things that T1Ds go through all day, every day, without a vacation. Let your non-Type 1 friends and family (and maybe teachers, bosses, traffic cops, and TSA agents) know that they can sign up before November 1st by texting T1D4ADAY to 63566. You can also sign up via the web by going to:
http://www.protexting.com/out/signupform.php?code=ztvdwbtnrrofceym

I’ve got to get someone to sign up for this. I’m dying to find out what the text messages will be like (“2:00 pm: You’re hypoglycemic. Drink juice and down 5 chalky glucose tabs, then find a sunny spot to sleep in for the next two hours”).
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)