Anne has been the diabetes research nurse practitioner of my 22 year old son, David, since he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last April (2009). She is always available to help teach him, monitor his progress, conduct his research studies and testing, and encourage him to learn to adjust his insulin to his lifestyle. She is a walking, talking storeroom of knowledge. She works as a vital part of the team in the Eskind Diabetes Center at Vanderbilt that saved David's life when we felt things were tumbling completely out of our control. David has been able to return to a happy, active life attending college and participating in sports like snowboarding and wakeskating with Anne's help and encouragement. Everyone should be so blessed and lucky to have a nurse like Anne to help them deal with such life changes.

Lea Mullis
Nashville, TN

My 14 year old daughter Ashley has been a Type I Diabetic since she was 13 months old. I was diagnosed 5 years ago and my daughter stepped right up and has been my rock since. I am a Type II, insulin dependent pump user. I was so upset when I found out I was diabetic, my daughter said, now we can all check our sugars together, as my husband is insulin dependent diabetic also. We see life as such a gift through her happy and smiling eyes every day. The fact that she wants so much out of life for herself and for me, makes me know I will be ok and will manage by diabetes not just for me, but so I stay healthy for my family. My daughter has taught me so much about life at her young age. I am very lucky to have her behind me.

Joan Kirk
Cuyahoga Falls, OH

When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I knew I had to make changes in my diet. As an Asian American, one of the toughest adjustments was to cut down on rice and noodles. After struggling on my own for a few years (and desperately missing eating rice and noodles), I went to the Joslin Diabetes Center's Asian American Diabetes Initiative (AADI) for counseling. Sophia, the dietitian at AADI, had two simple solutions. First, she showed me an easy way to portion my rice - a small, one-cup bowl that will hold about 2/3 my intake of carbohydrate per meal. Knowing this, I can now enjoy rice without worrying about eating too much! Second, she recommended the Dreamfield products as a low-carb pasta solution. Ever since then I’ve been using it for all kind of noodle dishes including Asian dishes like Udon and Noodle stir fries. They taste great – if I didn’t know that it was low-carb, I wouldn’t know the difference. ! I’ve been telling carbohydrate-conscious people I know, and even strangers, about Dreamfield. Just recently, I happened to overhear a daughter discussing sugar contents of instant oatmeal with her father in a supermarket. I apologized for intrusion and introduced her to the Dreamfield. She was very grateful and immediately switched a box of regular pasta with a Dreamfield pasta! Sophia, you are my DFF for showing me that I don't have to sacrifice enjoying culinary delights of my culture to manage my diabetes!

Young Kim
Cambridge, MA

When I was diagnosed with type one diabetes, I did not fully comprehend the lifestyle changes I would have to make. I came home from the doctor not knowing what to do, but I had to call my mom. My mom rushed to Waco, where I go to school, in time for my next doctor's appointment, which was just a few hours after my initial diagnosis. She was my spokesperson not only at the initial appointment but all of the appointments to come. She stayed with me, in Waco, putting her life on hold for two months while we worked together to try and figure out what it meant to have high or low blood sugar. While I went to classes, she spent countless hours researching how to manage diabetes. She bought informational books on diabetes as well as diabetic cookbooks. She never wanted me to feel like I could not have something that everyone else had, so she experimented with sugar free recipes. Even now, over a year later, she constantly works on enjoyable sugar free recipes for me to enjoy. My mom never wants me to feel upset about not being able to have sugar, so she and my dad voluntarily live a life without sugar as well. I cannot imagine the number of diabetes breakdowns I would have had without my mom there from day one and counting. I only hope I will be able to repay the favor someday.

Ashley Rhein
Georgetown, TX

On Sat, Oct 11, 2008 my 20 month old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She had been battling strep throat for about 3 weeks. On that day she wouldn't wake up, we rushed her to the ER and she was DKA. While at the ER LeeAnn called, she has been Megan's daycare provider since she was about 3 months old! I told her what was going on and said I would call her back the next day with more details. After the offical diagnosis I cried and wondered what I was going to do about daycare for Megan. I called LeeAnn and she said "I have already been online looking up information" I knew from that point on that all was going to be ok. Megan went back to daycare after a couple of weeks and LeeAnn would check her BG as needed. Then Megan went on multiple shots per day. LeeAnn said "I can do it". She has been an angel for us. I can go to work everyday and not have to worry about Megan. I think about her often during the day but usually wondering if she is behaving or being a typical 3 yr old! She loves my little Megan like one of her own. There are no words to describe the love and affection that we have for LeeAnn and her entire family. LeeAnn, You are a truly amazing person. Thank you!!

Carrie Hoskins
Madison, IN

My Aunt Charlean has always been an inspiration and advocate for our family. My grandmother passed away on 2/24/10 at the age of 88 and was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes approximately 40 years ago. After her diagnosis, Charlean not only advocated for my grandmother's health, but also for the health of our family. I believe my grandmother lived to be 88 in part through Charlean's advocacy in educating my grandmother and my family. Charlean encourages us to participate in screening activities, be aware of signs and symptoms, incorporate activities in our daily routine, and current research related to diabetes. For family gatherings we are encouraged to include a good portion of vegetables and adequate amounts of water. For our family reunion next year we are hoping to incorporate a diabetic screening session as part of Charlean's initiative. Charlean has sacrificed an enormous amount of time and energy to empower us as a family to include healthier lifestyles, but most importantly she encourages us to have fun being active and eat to live, rather than live to eat. We salute Charlean and all of her endeavors to improve the quality of life for all. When Charlean impacts one of us, she is essentially impacting a community.

Dora Jones
milwaukee, WI

In February of 2008 at the age of 28, I was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes. I was devastated, but I was able to continue on with my life with the help of my husband, family and friends.My friend Pat, diagnosed with Type II a few years back, was one of the only people who understood the feelings of sadness I was going through.Pat and I served in the United States Coast Guard together and became friends while deployed. After he was diagnosed with Type II, I watched him become a stronger person and embrace his condition rather than let it define who he was. He was there for me when the Coast Guard made the decision to turn me away from a career I had never fully had a chance to pursue. He listened to me when I felt like my world was closing in on me and let me know that Diabetes was not going to win, but my determination in life would.One month after being diagnosed with Type I, my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child. My pregnancy became filled with anxiety very quickly and with the help of my husband and my friend Pat, I got through the tough times and went on to have a beautiful baby girl. Pat has been one of the most empathetic, influential people in my life since I have been diagnosed and will continue to be. This is why I am nominating him as my DFF.

Erika Mancieri
Bristol, RI

Two years ago, I took a Diabetes Prevention Program/Lifestyle Balance Class with Stephanie Arellano as the teacher. Through the information and help that she provided in the class, I lost 75 pounds the first 7 months, halved my diabetes & blood pressure medications, dropped my A1C from 7.0 to 5.6, my "RealAge" has dropped ~10 years & I was able to stop taking a cholesterol medication entirely. Stephanie continued "coaching" me even after the class finished & has remained an encouraging force and true friend in my life. Because of her dedication to her students, not only have I lost AND KEPT OFF the weight I lost, but my husband, daughter, son-in-law, mother & numerous other people I have brought or referred to the class have also lost weight & gotten healthier. She has TRULY changed my life, for the better! I now ENJOY daily exercise (I NEVER wanted to exercise before her class!) & strive to always eat healthier. When we weighed in every week, she NEVER made you feel bad if you had gained or not lost "enough" weight, but always encouraged you; sometimes by just asking, "What could you have done differently this week?" Even when I "gained" 10# once for April Fool's Day (I hid weights in my clothes), she didn't say a word but just asked me if I'd seen the weight. When I came back after having visited the restroom (and removing the weights), she was VERY relieved! Stephanie is now our BELOVED "adopted" daughter!

Kimberly Whitney
Pueblo, CO

Most people call her crazy; I call her a saint. Fifteen years ago, when I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes after the birth of my only daughter, my doctor gave me two months to lose thirty pounds. If I could not meet this deadline, I would have to begin insulin injections immediately. Knowing that I was deathly afraid of needles, my DFF Karen assured me that I would meet that goal. From that day until the present, my DFF has driven a mile to my house every morning at 3:50 to walk at least four miles with me before I leave for work. During those first two months, we walked through ice and snow, with the rain dripping from our noses, daring the elements to stop us. Even though Karen retired several years ago and could be sleeping later, she still faithfully arrives to walk me every day without fail, as faithfully as my golden retriever Sugar begs for a treat. We did meet that goal fifteen years ago, and I still control my diabetes through diet and exercise alone; but, because I am still afraid of needles, my DFF accompanies me to any appointments that require blood work in order to hold my hand, distract my attention, and give me courage. Because she has sacrificed so much of her precious time and energy on my behalf, Karen has proven that she will be my diabetic friend forever.

Debra McLemore
Somerville, AL

More than just an Aunt, my Aunt Lisa is my DFF! I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was a teenager, an already difficult age for a girl! My Aunt helped me, and continues to help me, not only with the medical aspects (the shots, monitoring, blood work, doctors appointments, etc.), but with EVERYTHING that came along with the diagnosis. She made sure that there was an emergency kit available, and that those frequently with me knew how to use it properly. She always made sure I was wearing a medic alert bracelet, had an emergency snack handy, and was carrying a cell phone before I went out. She informed me of the choices I should make and of the consequences if I didn’t make the right choices, but she never lectured or tried to force my decisions. She supported me when I was in “denial,” just reminding me of what could catch up with me later. When I gained weight after going on insulin, she would still tell me I was beautiful and make me feel better about myself. On holidays she always made, and continues to make, a sugar free dessert so I never feel left out. She prints out and cuts out articles and stories when she finds them so I am always aware of the latest products, research, and other information. And most importantly, through all of my diabetic ups and downs, she has loved me unconditionally!

Shannon Pearson
Niagara Falls, NY

My DFF is my husband and best friend, Jay. I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes a few years ago and struggled with over intake of carbohydrates. I’m Italian and LOVE my pasta! Jay grew up as a very picky eater and rarely included vegetables or fruits in his meals. Dinnertime became drudgery—but, Jay and I agreed to a challenge. He would eat any vegetables or fruits if I placed them on his plate along with his favorite pasta dishes. I could match the veggie portions, but with a smaller portion of pasta for dietary control. It worked! Jay broadened his food horizons and I narrowed my hips.

Even though, Jay suffers with Multiple Sclerosis and its daily challenges – he always uplifts me with compliments and a goal to “keep our eyes on the prize”. His concern over my well being, physically and emotionally, often trumps his own comfort level. I owe so much to his caring attitude and can’t begin to match his supportive love. He is everything a best friend could be and more.


Paulette Heisler
Tampa, FL