Celebrating World Diabetes Day

Supported by over 160 countries, World Diabetes Day is a global campaign that aims to raise awareness about diabetes prevention, management, and treatment. 

For those who live with diabetes, work in diabetes, or have a loved one with diabetes, you may know that November is National Diabetes Awareness Month (NDAM). Each year during this month – and especially on November 14, World Diabetes Day – the community comes together to bring attention to diabetes and the hundreds of millions of people it affects around the globe. 

At diaTribe, we have been talking a lot lately about not just living with diabetes, but what it means to live well with diabetes. In honor of NDAM, here are some sentiments from staff on living with or working in diabetes care.

"Living well with diabetes is about 20% taking my medications, 30% getting my steps in – thanks to my yellow lab, Atlas – and 50% the daily support (and humor) I get from the crew at diaTribe."
-Jim, diaTribe CEO

“Through education, my diabetes journey has evolved from fear into a life full of family, adventure, and personal fulfillment. It remains an ongoing challenge, but I'm grateful for the resources that allow me to thrive and continue expanding my life.”
-Julie Heverly, VP, Time in Range Coalition & Patient Advocacy

"Living with diabetes has been a daily (no, actually hourly) journey for 43 years. The highs and lows – figuratively and literally – have made life more resilient, but not without hardships.  NDAM gives us a chance to feel seen and heard, but it's also a deep month with a lot of focus on something that we all know every minute of all 12 months. I'll characterize some of my thoughts by focusing on positive words: 

Nimble is showing or having the ability to respond or think quickly and effectively – and being OK with when some days don't go as planned. That's exactly what diabetes has taught me, which has stretched to many other parts of my life. It's hard to be nimble during the hard days, but with reflection, it has awarded me deeper life skills. 

Dedicated to health, well-being, and taking each day at a time, while also being dedicated as a mentor to supporting others. 

Awareness in my physical and emotional surroundings; striving for healthy surroundings, and being aware of what matters in life (and trying hard not to sweat the small stuff).

Motivated to live each day to its fullest.”
-Diane Scherer, VP, Development at diaTribe

“A couple of ‘hacks’ that have really helped me live better (and stay sane) are:

1. Separating tech: I have my CGM connected directly to my watch and my Omnipod paired to a separate controller, so I don’t need to grab my phone to check glucose or dose insulin. It keeps me from getting sucked into screens, which I think everyone (not just people with diabetes) can relate to.

2. Focusing on the short term: Aside from getting a CGM in the first place, this has probably been the biggest thing that’s helped me manage my diabetes and truly live well. I focus only on my three-day time in range instead of 30- or 90-day averages. The longer trends can feel overwhelming, but three days feels both realistic and achievable to hit goals. And when you ‘lock in’ for just three days, those results naturally waterfall into the two-week, 30-day, and 90-day numbers anyway when you continually focus on three days. Seeing that 70%+ time in range after a few days always gives me a nice dopamine boost, too.”
-Derek Helm, Senior Operations Manager

“What first came to mind is this: The best way I've found to push back against the frustration and fear that can come with diabetes is to celebrate what my body can do. For me, this can look like trying new challenges in long distance running, backpacking, or a type of exercise I've never done before. It's hard for me to feel defeated when I'm energized by trying something I would have found challenging even without diabetes.
-Mareda Lewer, Research and Regulatory Manager, Time in Range Coalition

“This year for World Diabetes Day, my advice is not for the diabetes community, but for those of us who are not living with diabetes. 

One of the things that I am always reminded of getting to work in the diabetes space and having family members who live with this condition, is just how demanding diabetes can be. It requires constant attention and constant decision-making; it’s the 24/7 job that nobody asks for. The last thing that people living with diabetes should have to worry about is facing diabetes stigma, discrimination, and stereotypes that only make managing this condition harder and more isolating. 

That’s why I want to challenge all of us to be better diabetes allies. We need to be better about correcting misconceptions about diabetes, elevating the voices of those living with diabetes, and speaking up in support of advocacy efforts to improve people’s lives. So this World Diabetes Day, let’s all embrace being better diabetes allies and creating a world that empowers, respects, and supports the incredible lived experience in the diabetes community.
-Matthew Garza, dStigmatize Director and proud diabetes ally