The DRI Foundation @ Tibi (And A few DOC Fashionistas) in Soho

Designer Amy Smilovic & Act1Diabetes Lindsey Inserra

Four Diazon Fashionistas

From left to right: Yours Truly, Tibi Mannequin wearing Alfred Shaheen inspired shirt created by Tibi owner Amy Smilovic, Stacey Divone & Allison Blass

Photo courtesy of Stacey Divone~

Last night I ventured into the city that never sleeps( for the second time in four days) and had the opportunity to attend a champagne reception hosted by the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at Tibi in Soho.

Tibi Owner & Designer Amy Smilovic offered those in attendance a 20% discount from 6 to 8 p.m. (not to mention champagne and goodies) and unveiled her new fashion creation, inspired by Alfred Shaheen, the creator of the classic Hawaiian shirt, who passed away from diabetes.

Amy also lost her 12 year old nephew to type 1 diabetes almost 8 years ago, so finding a cure for diabetes is very near to her heart.

I found Amy to be not only a wonderful & talented designer, but incredibly down to earth & easy to talk with.

Amy is so serious about finding a diabetes cure, that $100 of every shirt sold will go to the DRI Foundation to help them find one~

The event also gave me the opportunity to meet several members of the DRI Foundation in IRL (in real life) and the chance to see some beautiful clothes!

I met up with Alison Blass and FINALLY had the chance to meet Stacey Divone (a.ka. Cupcakes Divone) face to face for the very first time- And yes, she's fantastical in every sense of the word!

If your interested in purchasing the Tibi Top for yourself or as a Christmas gift for a friend (hint, hint),visit: http://www.diabetesresearch.org/TibiTop or click HERE.

Be Part Of The Cure - Literally!

"I always feel the movement is a sort of mosaic. Each of us puts in one little stone, and then you get a great mosaic at the end." Alice Paul

Want to be part of the Diabetes cure- both literally & figuratively? And let's be serious folks, WHO DOESN’T?

Well, now you can & you don’t even have to be all scientifical smart!

Thanks to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s on-line campaign: BePartoftheCure.org You, your picture, and your story can be part of the cure!

The campaign kicked off yesterday and runs through December 31^st, 2010.

The Be Part of the CURE campaign is a fantastic way for people living with diabetes,

the Type 3s in their lives, and anyone else concerned about curing diabetes can literally take part (and become) part of the “CURE.”

FYI: If your shy, that's OK. You can still donate without uploading your picture or story~

The showpiece of the campaign is a virtual mosaic/collage that spells the word C-U-R-E, populated by the images of those affected by diabetes – INCLUDING YOU.

What I think is great about the campaign is that it will show ALL THE FACES OF DIABETES.

And to me, ALL the faces of diabetes are as individual as snowflakes.

No two are the same, all are beautiful and every face and story needs to be appreciated.

With just a $10.00 donation, you can upload a photo & submit a short story about how diabetes has affected your life. The campaign is being sponsored by Animas and LifeScan, who will match the first $25,000 in donations.

The final CURE collage image will be reproduced on a giant banner that will hang within the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami, the beneficiary of the campaign proceeds.

A $50.00 donation will get you a mouse pad bearing the final CURE image. And all campaign participants will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win two tickets to the concert of their choice in their local area.

The final CURE collage will be reproduced on a giant banner that will hang within the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami, the beneficiary of the campaign proceeds.

Personally, I’m going through my hard drive now and plan to upload my picture & story and make my donation TODAY.

We can sit and talk about the cure, or we actively participate and take the steps needed to make it happen. We can help find and fund the cure and create a beautiful & lasting image in the process~

About the Diabetes Research Institute and Foundation

The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. The Diabetes Research Institute, a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet transplantation. The DRI is now building upon these achievements by bridging cell-based therapies with emerging technologies to restore insulin production. For the millions of families already affected by diabetes, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure. For more information, call 1-800-321-3437 or visit DiabetesResearch.org.

The Philadelphia JDRF Walk To Cure Diabetes Was Awesome!!

Yesterday was the JDRF's Eastern Pa. Chapter's Walk to Cure Diabetes and it was fantastic!

According to reports, 8,000 walkers "walked the walk, and talked the talk" to help find a cure for diabetes.

It was a glorious day for the walk - The front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art & Eakins Oval was filled with a sea of walkers, loud music, sponsors, teams in colorful team shirts and kids in Halloween costumes.

There was strong feelings of energy, hope, and togetherness in the air and "The City of Brotherly Love" lived up to it's name yesterday - BIG TIME.

As I stood there on the steps of The Art Museum looking for Bennet, Penny, Gary and my friend's daughter Isabella, I thought about those I was walking for and felt a little overwhelmed. AND I was so glad that I had made the last minute decision to walk.

While I looked out into the crowd and scanned it for familiar face, Bennet ca

me up behind me and gave me a hug. Then I called Penny who was already literally walking right towards me with "Grace - Byrd is The Word," and Grace's lovely (and funny) big sister Lucy and everyone started hugging.

Together, we found Gary at the Omnipod tent and right then the walk started.

The girls and I separated from Bennet and Gary because Grace wanted to start walking ASAP!

Walking with those Diazonista's (both official and honorary) not only provided much needed company, conversation and laughs, but they ladies also deserve BIG KUDOS for putting up with me and my Psycho moments of almost losing my keys AND wearing to many la

yers of clothes - THANKS GUYS.

As of today, I've raised $361.00 in donation - which makes me happy.

If you'd still like to donate, click HERE.

And now for the photo montage!

Yours truly & Grace "Byrd is the word and of my heart" and the Philadelphia Art Museum Steps before the walk star

ted!

Photo Courtesy of Penny

Grace "Byrd is the word," Phantastical Penny, & The lovely Lucy under the Arch to enter West River Drive

Grace "Byrd is the word," Phantastical Penny, & The lovely Lucy under the arch way on West River Drive - and my baseball cap partially obstructing their view!

Sea of walkers and being stalked by the Paparazzi~

Gracie & I after the race - Turkey Hill provided the walkers individual cups of frozen yogurt - the best 19 grams of carbohydrates EVER!!

Photo Courtesy of Penny~

"And the cow jumped over the.....giant tub of ice cream??"

The elusive Turkey Hill giant tub of ice cream & Ginormous cow are neither myths or urban legends! Photo courtesy of my iPhone~
We caught up with Gary after the walk, but Bennet (super dad extraordinaire) was already on the road again because he had to take his daughter to a singing lesson!
However, I am hoping that Bennet will put up some funny footage of a guy in a monkey suit on his blog - But that's all I'm saying for now!
All in all, it was a great day and I can't wait to do it again next year!

Happy Diaversary Ninjabetic! GO NINJA, GO NINJA

This post is short and sweet- not unlike myself.

Number 1 Ninja, friend, & Dblogger George "Ninjabetic" Simmons celebrates his 20 year Diaversary in a BIG WAY!!!

Ninjabetic is celebrating his 20th Diaversary with diabetes tomorrow and is celebrating the day by participating in his local JDRF's Walk To Cure Diabetes.

Not only is George participating, he's organized a team and many from the DOC are flying out to be part of team NINJABETIC.

I wish with all my heart I could be there in real life to support my friend George, but I can't - and that makes me sad.

But I'll be walking with the team in spirit and have made a donation in his name.

If your so inclined, you donate to Team Ninjabetic by clicking the following link.

http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmid=87698084

And if you can't, no worries - just stop on over to his website and wish him a HAPPY DIAVERSARY by clicking HERE !!!!

FYI: Sara Knicks is also part of team Ninjabetic & the following link takes you to her fundraising page http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=87775519 YOU GO GIRL!!!

Charlotte JDRF's Walk To Cure Diabetes Last Minute $$ Request

Hey folks, HAPPY FRIDAY!

My cousin Ginny Kunik and her awesome daughter Margaret (and my little cuz) are "walking the walk" tomorrow in Charlotte, NC by participating in the Charlotte JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes.

They have a goal of raising $200 and are currently at $135 (they lost their Mother-in-law/Grandmother-my Aunt last week, so all fundraising had to be put on hold until after the funeral,) which is totally understandable.

Yesterday they drove from Philadelphia to Charlotte and arrived home late last night - the quest for last minute donations has begun!

If you can to donate a few bucks (because no amount is too small) that would be great !

It's the 3rd year they've participated and are walking for Margaret's good friend Caroline, who is a T1, & for me - which is REALLY COOL! I'm SO proud of them!

If you'd like to donate, click HERE!

If not, please pass the info to someone who might!

Blood Sugars, Insulin Pumps, & Needles - OH MY!

Blood Sugars, insulin pumps, and needles – Oh My!
Diabetes accouterments that keep us alive.

I deal, and you deal,
We all deal every day.
Still it doesn't mean that we want Diabetes to stay!

We prod and poke our fingers
Like getting blood from a calloused stone.

Wishing and hoping all the while that the Damn Diabetes would just leave us alone.

Just imagine a life without testing, injecting, and such.
Could such a life really become our reality?

Is it asking too much?

Never having to calculating carbs, before contemplating Ben and Jerry’s.
Or measuring out foods, right down to the cherry.

No celiac issues, or gluten free zones.
Never wishing diabetes would just leave us alone.

No CGM denials on a daily bases.

No dodging doorknobs and buying juice boxes by the cases,

And no never ending trails of used test strips, found in the oddest of places.

Never having to explain daily, our Achilles heel.
Answering peoples stupid diabetes questions,
And just...trying to deal.
“Are you allowed to eat that?”
“Have some orange juice instead.”
“Go do a to test Kel,”
Or
“AND YOU SURE YOU PACKED YOUR MEDS?”

Not having to explain to a “Potential” all the facts.
That this Chicks bionic and wears her pancreas on a clip,
That’s more often than not, attached to her hip.
Sometimes it’s my waist,
Other times much more sexy....and strapped to my thigh.

Regardless of the lo-cal,
Those who can’t handle the D facts, really need not apply.


Never having to see to see the look in parents eyes,
Knowing that our disease is what makes them cry.

Walking Season starts soon,
Teams are bucking up for the cure.
Posting all about their efforts and knocking on doors.

Teams for Charlie, Riley, Brendon, Daniel, Crystal,
And more.

Teams turning miles into dollars,
And dollars into a cure.

Talk the Walk up BIG TIME, and help spread the word.
The JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes is coming,

And ALL efforts MUST be heard!!

Nearly 2 Million from 1 State...Not To Shabby

2 million dollars - That's a lot of cash.

To put it into perspective:

2 million dollars would buy approximately 30,300 bottles of short acting insulin at the no insurance cost of $66 per bottle.

2 million dollars would buy 333 insulin pumps, assuming that the median cost of a pump is $6000.

2 million would buy 1,111 MAC BOOK Airs

2 million dollars is the cost of approximately 100,000 parking tickets for expired meter parking from the City of Philadelphia's Parking Authority. The cost of an expired meter ticket is approximately $20.00

2 million dollars is the amount of money that the Philadelphia/Bucks County Chapter of the JDRF expects to raise from their WALK TO CURE DIABETES.

Yesterday, I had the amazing opportunity to speak in front of, and be inspired by those teams who raised 1000.00 dollars or more.

I was in awe of these families. Not only did they "walk the walk," but they knocked on doors,; sent out letters, approached their employers for matching corporate funds,reached out to members of their communities and places of worship, recruited their children's teachers and classmates, not to mention family and friends. Those efforts payed off BIG TIME .


87% of those dollars go directly towards funding research for a cure.

The Top Fundraising family in Eastern PA, also happened to be the top fundraising team in the Nation. Sydney's SuperSTARS brought in over $400,000 dollars in donations and a team of 150 people.

When I spoke with Sydney after the event, she told me her classmates were already saving penny's for next years walk. This Kid is going to give Steve Jobs & Donald trump a run for their money. OUTSTANDING !!!!

The kids I met were confident, active, stylish, beautiful, energetic and funny. The picture of health -Your typical kids with a not so typical disease.

Not only do they OWN their diabetes, but they decided to actively pursue the cost of a cure.
The results were phenomenal.

It was an awesome day and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it!