I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 52 years. You may know that. Diagnosed at 18. I was told, like almost anyone diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in any year, “We’ll have a cure in five to ten years.” Well, of course we don’t. Nor do I actually expect one in my lifetime.

That’s not to say I’m not grateful for all the advances we have: better insulins, faster insulins, peak less insulins, smart insulin pens, continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps now cozy with continuous glucose monitors, looping etc. Most of these advances have come in the past decade. Somehow speed begets speed. Advance begets advance.

Yet, still each year we stand up tall and honor a single day in the year when we attempt to bring awareness to this condition that many of us have lived with a very long time. I’m sure that’s better than not doing so, but it feels like it feeds a complacency. It quiets the masses.

I’d rather we were doing more, if that’s possible, I don’t know. What I do know is, in part, these campaigns promoting diabetes day with blue balloons and roses and the sharing of stories are lovely for the newcomers to our ranks, but this old rank and file member feels these efforts carry a whiff of distraction because we’re still so far from that original promise.

In all honesty, I had no idea when I began writing this post that I’d end up here. I expected to share with you the campaign that Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) is running this laudable day and extend the opportunity to participate. So here it is – ‘What do you want T1D breakthroughs for?’ And, yes, that’s nice.

Yet, wouldn’t it be nicer to no longer have a World Diabetes Day because there’s no reason to recognize an illness that no longer exists.

Diabetes Sisters has a new look – and a forward looking agenda. They are working to be THE support organization for women and their health, and they’re well on their way.

The photo above documents their offerings. Among them are weekly virtual meet-ups. While a few years ago the groups were run locally face to face, the pandemic brought the groups online where they have stayed. The advantage is now you can attend any group, anywhere, and as many as you like.

I’ve been doing a lot of work with the leads of Diabetes Sisters, Donna Rice, Michele Polz, Shelby Kinnaird and Kristy Farnoly since last November when I wrote an article in their December newsletter that we can’t control blood sugar. I can vouch that these women’s concern is you. To bring you everything in their power to help you thrive.

I can also vouch that flourishing with diabetes lies very much at the foundation of Diabetes Sisters’ new platform. There are regular expert talks on issues that affect women’s health. Some are given by medical experts, others by patient experts. And I kicked off the Expert Series last month with a webinar on flourishing with diabetes.

May 29th I’ll be showcasing live guest Amy Jordan and her amazing triumphal story. Amy lives with type 1 diabetes, blindness, a damaged leg due to being hit by a New York City bus. Yet, she still leads a dance company, her lifelong passion, and has never stopped taking giant-sized bites out of life, with a sense of humor. You can watch Amy’s documentary, Amy’s Victory Dance, and I strongly suggest that you do. Then join us on the 29th for the conversation.

While the organization has put on a new face, much hasn’t changed. Founded by Brandy Barnes in 2008, and then run by her successor, Anna Norton, and including the women who have run the meet-up groups over the past years, everyone has held the same desire – to help women with diabetes not feel alone, not be alone and live their best life.

There’s a lot going on and there’s a warm community waiting for you with open arms.