Diabetes Living Today® radio program, provides listeners with education, inspiration and motivation to live healthy and well with diabetes. Whether you have diabetes or know someone who does Diabetes Living Today® radio program offers experience, insight, education and tips to manage life with diabetes. Through interviews, including “World Class” Research Scientist, physicians and people living with diabetes, living well tips and questions from the listening audience, host Kitty Castellini and Endocrinologist Dr. Joseph J. Fallon, Jr. are there every step of the way to offer guidance, advice, and most of all, support.
This week Kitty and Dr. Fallon will host their No Sugar Added™ “open forum,” with special guest Gina Capone. Gina just returned from The Diabetes Research Institute in Miami, FL., where she attended the “Mastering Your Diabetes” class. Listener’s are invited to call in with their questions and comments. Tuesday Evening 8:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm (EST) Cruisin 92.1 FM~WVLT, streaming live on the web at www.wvlt.com Call In: 856-696-0092.
Gina Capone is a long-time diabetes advocate and social media entrepreneur, having created and contributed to numerous diabetes websites, blogs and other social community forums over the last decade. In 2000 she co-founded Diabetes Talkfesthttp://Diabetestalkfest.com, a site dedicated to hosting live chats with clinical and research professionals in the field of diabetes, where she moderates the weekly discussions and authors the Diabetes Talkfest Bloghttp://DiabetesTalkFest.com/blog. She also serves as the community manager of http://Juvenation.org, the JDRF type 1 social website for people with diabetes and their families, and is an expert patient blogger on Health Central. http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/28524Among her ongoing efforts as an advocate for all diabetes patients, Gina has created and currently manages the CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) Anti-Denial Campaign website http://cgm-antidenial.ning.com, providing members with crucial information for helping those with diabetes obtain coverage for continuous glucose monitors and also The Diabetes OC (Online Community) http://thediabetesoc.com showcasing diabetes bloggers weekly.
Gina’s newest venture is the creation of a comprehensive online diabetes directory which will be coming soon.
In addition to her extensive internet and social media background, she is also a graphic designer with over 10 years experience in the field and she is always looking for more opportunities!
Gina and her husband live in New York, with their son CoCo, a Yorkshire terrier. They are looking forward to expanding their family outside of the canine category as soon as her A1c goes down into baby range.
Photo Above: Gina Capone
Photo Above: Kitty Castellini & Dr. Joseph J. Fallon, Jr.
NICK JONAS SPEAKS AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB IN EFFORT TO EDUCATE, SUPPORT, AND INSPIRE KIDS WITH DIABETES
Teen pop sensation Nick Jonas (of The Jonas Brothers) addresses the National Press Club on the topic of juvenile diabetes.
Washington, DC (August 24, 2009) - Nick Jonas today made a passionate plea to an audience of journalists at the National Press Club asking them to raise more awareness about type 1 diabetes to motivate young people like him and their families to properly manage their condition. Nick, 16, is one of the youngest guests ever invited to speak at the Club. He talked about his own journey with diabetes, the charitable efforts of the Jonas Brothers’ Change for the Children Foundation and why he embraces the role of diabetes ambassador.
Nick recounted that until he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes almost four years ago, he didn’t know anything about, or anybody else with, the condition. That has all since changed. With the love and support of his family, he has learned how to live with and manage his condition. He wrote the song, “A Little Bit Longer,” to share that experience and inspire others. In 2007 Nick went public with his diabetes. The impact of that announcement and his subsequent work with the Bayer Diabetes Care NicksSimpleWins.com campaign has had far reaching global impact, helping to raise awareness of the disease. Much more needs to be done, he said, and he asked reporters to help.
“So many fans with diabetes from all over the world share their stories and thank me for being an inspiration to them,” said Nick. “It’s important for them to know that they motivate and inspire me as well. I’m lucky to have a great support system in my family as well as the tools I need to manage my diabetes properly. By speaking publicly about my experience I hope to increase diabetes awareness, encourage diabetes education and help fundraising for research and other programs for kids with diabetes. The more you report about diabetes, the more people will know,” he told members of the press.
Nick’s passion for helping other young people with diabetes by sharing his experience is just one of the ways he “gives back” to fans. He and his brothers, Kevin and Joe, started the Jonas Brothers’ Change for the Children Foundation through which they donate funds to several causes including pediatric diabetes research, education and treatment.
”When Nick talks about diabetes, people listen. And until there is a cure, the greatest weapon against diabetes is increased awareness and knowing how to manage it,” said Nancy Katz, head of North America for Bayer Diabetes Care. “That includes working with a health care professional for guidance on regular monitoring of blood sugar and A1C levels, proper diet and exercise and having a positive attitude to achieve every day simple wins.”
Since the announcement of their partnership last year, Bayer and Nick have taken many steps to inspire young people with diabetes to achieve their simple wins: small, everyday victories for managing diabetes that can lead to big differences over time.
In recognition of his efforts in raising diabetes awareness over the past year, Bayer presented Nick with another $100,000 donation to the Jonas Brothers’ Change for the Children Foundation to support its ongoing commitment to pediatric diabetes.
In August 2008, announcing the start of their partnership with Nick, Bayer presented the Jonas Brothers with a $100,000 donation for their foundation. In the interim, Nick and Bayer created special dog tags, like the one Nick wears featuring a lyric from his song, “A Little Bit Longer.” Proceeds from the sales of the dog tags benefit the Jonas Brothers’ Change for the Children Foundation. The dog tags are available through www.NicksSimpleWins.com for a donation of $5. Since the dog tag program launched in November 2008, it has raised an additional $75,000 for the Jonas Brothers’ Change for the Children Foundation.
As this year marks the 40-year anniversary since Bayer introduced the first portable blood glucose meter, the company hopes that its ongoing partnership with Nick reinforces their commitment to diabetes management. To learn more about Nick’s personal experiences with diabetes, his programs with Bayer and to read his blog, please go to www.NicksSimpleWins.com.
Bayer Diabetes Care
Bayer Diabetes Care is a worldwide leader in diabetes, supports customers in 100 countries and for more than 40 years, has led the way in diabetes care product innovation. Bayer introduced the first portable blood glucose meter and test strips, innovated the measurement of A1C (glycated hemoglobin) and was the first to offer a suite of blood glucose monitors (CONTOUR® and BREEZE®2) with No CodingTM technology and no interference with common substances such as maltose. Today, Bayer Diabetes Care offers an unparalleled choice in diabetes management systems and comprehensive support including education, tools and resources designed to simplify life with diabetes.
Bayer Diabetes Care is a business of the Bayer HealthCare LLC, Medical Care Division and has its global headquarters located in Tarrytown, New York. For more information visit www.bayerdiabetes.com.
About Bayer HealthCare
The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of healthcare, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Bayer Schering Pharma, Consumer Care and Medical Care divisions. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Find more information at www.bayerhealthcare.com.
Changing your insulin pump company is a hard decision even under the best of circumstances. If you are a Deltec Cozmo user, you now find yourself in a very difficult position with the recent announcement that Smiths Medical will no longer be producing insulin pumps. Here at Roche Diagnostics, the makers of ACCU-CHEK® brand diabetes care products, we understand the challenge you now face and we want to do everything we can to make your transition as simple as possible.
To that end, we’ve designed the ACCU-CHEK Alliance Program just for Deltec Cozmo users offering an easy and affordable transition to a brand new ACCU-CHEK Spirit insulin pump system. If your Cozmo insulin pump is still in-warranty, here’s what you’ll receive when you sign up for the program:
The ACCU-CHEK® Spirit insulin pump system* without charge with the trade-in of your Cozmo Pump.
2 Year Warranty
30 Day Supply Starter Kit
Upgrade certificate for a new insulin pump system launched in the future by Roche Diagnostics without additional charge with your trade-in of the ACCU-CHEK Spirit insulin pump. Certificate expires 2 years from shipment date of ACCU-CHEK Spirit insulin pump.
*The system includes the ACCU-CHEK Spirit insulin pump, ACCU-CHEK blood glucose meter of your choice, Palm® PDA and the ACCU-CHEK Pocket Compass Software with bolus calculator.
So not only are you receiving a new insulin pump system (brand new, not refurbished!), but you’re alsogetting the peace of mind in knowing that you’ve got a future upgrade at no additional charge when new technology becomes available.
If you’d like to learn more about this special offer or about the ACCU-CHEK Spirit insulin pump system, please call us at 866-703-3476. This is a limited time offer and only available to current in-warranty Deltec Cozmo users, so contact us today!
Terms and Exclusions:
This promotion is effective from August 1, 2009, but may be discontinued or modified at any time without notice.
Only in-warranty Deltec Cozmo insulin pump users are eligible.
Available to U.S. residents only. Persons covered by federal, state or government-funded healthcare programs (such as Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration) and the residents of Massachusetts may not participate.
Glucose DeHydrogenase PyrroloQuinoline Quinone is a type of glucose monitoring technology The FDA issued a health notice alerting anyone using GDH-PQQ technology and receiving drug therapies or products containing certain sugars other than glucose such as: maltose, xylose and galactose can lead to serious injury or death.
Drug products or therapies with non-glucose sugars
Some immunoglobulins: Octagam 5%, Gamimune N 5% **, WinRho SDF Liquid, Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) and HepaGamB
Orencia (abatacept)
Adept adhesion reduction solution (4% icodextrin)
BEXXAR radioimmunotherapy agent
Any product that contains, or the body breaks down into, the sugars maltose, galactose or xylose
This is the reason for concern: These types of sugars can create a false glucose reading on your meter which will prompt more insulin coverage for a higher blood sugar leading to severe hypoglycemia. Hence the serious injury or death concern.
IMO this has to be very rare especially if you check your blood sugar often. Like me for instance 10-12x per day. Although not everyone is that anal retentive.
Who should be concerned with this? People on peritoneal dialysis and people who recently had surgery.
**Glucose test strips other than the GDH-PQQ type are not affected by this problem, and can be used by patients taking drug products or therapies that contain non-glucose sugars.
Andreas Stuhr, MD, medical director of Roche Diabetes Care North America put out a patient letter today stating this:
It is important to know that this is not a recall of the ACCU-CHEK® blood glucose monitors
The FDA notes that “GDH-PQQ meters and strips are okay to use if you are not using an interfering drug product or therapy” as listed above. For those who are using drugs that contain non-glucose sugars, the FDA recommends the following:
Do not use GDH-PQQ glucose meters or test strips
• Use another type of glucose monitoring technology and continue to monitor your blood glucose as instructed by your healthcare provider
• Contact your healthcare provider if your results do not reflect the way you feel
Patient safety is important to Roche. ACCU-CHEK® products have been proven to provide accurate and reliable results for patients with diabetes, when used as directed in package inserts.
Should you have any additional questions or concerns regarding ACCU-CHEK® products, please call ACCU-CHEK® Customer Care, available twenty four hours, seven days a week at 1-800-858-8072.
—– Bayer Healthcarealso contacted me as well with this statement:
Bayer’s CONTOUR and Bayer’s BREEZE2 Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems Do Not Use Problematic GDH-PQQ Technology
Bayer Diabetes Care is committed to patient safety and has a portfolio of blood glucose meters that all meet the current FDA requirements. The company adheres to and supports the highest standard of quality in its meters and strives to do everything possible by a manufacturer to ensure the accuracy of readings. Bayer Diabetes Care meters are designed to minimize the impact from as many external variants as possible, helping to ensure accuracy of readings. Bayer’s BREEZE®2 and CONTOUR® systems both feature No CodingTM technology, and no interference with common substances including the non-glucose sugars maltose and galactose.
For more information on Bayer Diabetes Care blood glucose monitoring systems, visit www.bayerdiabetes.com.
The statistics are well publicized and the impact felt every day by every American. The physical, emotional and financial effects of diabetes on the country are devastating and getting worse. According to experts, diabetes costs the nation an estimated $150 to $200 billion annually in health care expenses and billions more in lost productivity. Year after year we hear about diabetes migrating from adults to young adults to teens to kids because of our sedentary (a.k.a. couch potato) lifestyle and how the numbers keep growing. The debate about our healthcare delivery system and universal coverage will continue and while it may or may not get resolved during this congressional session or even this presidency, we need answers, NOW. We must find ways to address our diabetes epidemic.
So, what’s a possible answer?
I recently attended a Social Media Summit sponsored by Roche Diagnostic, one of the major pharmaceutical companies involved with diabetes, along with more than two dozen other diabetes “influencers.” We were brought together to talk, brainstorm and consider the impact of social media on the diabetic community. We spent much time and effort examining social media’s ability to “educate” the diabetic masses and those close to them who are often responsible for care and oversight. This wasn’t a sales and marketing presentation and we didn’t hear about products and branding. This was a Summit focused on diabetes, the desperate need for more and more successful education and an exploration into how social media can help spread the diabetes education message and empower individuals to take control of their condition. The long-range outcome would be to see this increased education derived from social media to produce a new-found personal responsibility to reduce health risks and the nation’s health care costs.
I have been dealing with the ravages of diabetes for a good part of my life and live with many of its scars, so I know the destruction diabetes can cause. I have also dedicated a good portion of my adult life, and plenty of resources as well, to informing and educating people on the disease. I’d like to believe I’ve made a positive impact in educating people on how to live better with diabetes and how to keep on fighting. But, I also know we all need to do more. I believe the Internet and global reach of social media may provide the widest, most in-depth and least expensive opportunity to broadcast our message that you can do it yourself with the proper information that we’ve ever had. I also believe that for many, social media presents the most believable and credible means of informing a “hungry”, pardon my pun, population with the educational tools derived and learned by their peers and therein might be the secret to spreading the word and having it accepted.
We covered this topic in detail as a group and discussed various strategies we’d need to consider. We also talked about the pitfalls social media presents and the responsibilities each of us as “influencers” have to monitor the posted information for accuracy and appropriateness. As a group, we agreed that greater reach was a primary objective of any social media effort and that reach, combined with the believability social media engenders, was an important goal. We also agreed that with one of social media’s greatest strengths being the delivery of information from trusted, peer-like sources, perhaps this was the greatest opportunity available to deliver critical information that would be accepted as though it were being delivered by a close friend or relative. With the closely shared life-experiences social media thrives on, delivering a stronger and deeper diabetes education could very well be like having a sit down talk with your neighbor at the breakfast table with your neighbor actually hailing from across the country or perhaps, across the globe!
As we all left the Summit, I could feel that we’d made progress and learned more about the impact social media could have on our “diabetic community.” We would all be going our separate ways but would remain united in our understanding that the opportunities social media presents would make our work even more meaningful. Through the power of social media, we could surpass our current reach and expand levels of “trust” beyond anything we’d seen before and that might be the key to unlocking the education door for diabetics who otherwise were not being reached or were not “trusting” of the information they were receiving. We also came to understand that social media would give us, and others involved in diabetes education, the ability to inform our diabetic brethren at a levels beyond anything we have ever seen before. For sure, I am more attuned than before to the opportunities social media presents and its ability to deliver critical information and education to greater numbers with “no sugar added.”
Kitty Castellini
Founder, President & CEO
Diabetes Living Today®—Was founded by a “passionate” Doctor and Patient who battled type 1 diabetes and won! Diabetes Living Today® is a multi-media source paving the way to improve the lives of all diabetics worldwide.
Diabetes Living Today® radio program, provides listeners with education, inspiration and motivation to live healthy and well with diabetes. Whether you have diabetes or know someone who does Diabetes Living Today® radio program offers experience, insight, education and tips to manage life with diabetes. Through interviews, including “World Class” Research Scientist, physicians and people living with diabetes, living well tips and questions from the listening audience, host Kitty Castellini and Endocrinologist Dr. Joseph J. Fallon, Jr. are there every step of the way to offer guidance, advice, and most of all, support.
This week Kitty and Dr. Fallon will interview Dr. Suzanne VanDerwerken. Listener’s are invited to call in with their questions and comments. Tuesday Evening 8:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm (EST) Cruisin 92.1 FM~WVLT, streaming live on the web at www.wvlt.com Call In: 856-696-0092.
Dr. Suzanne VanDerwerken
Suzanne VanDerwerken, M.D. grew up in California and attended college at Brigham Young University. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. She completed her residency in family medicine at Underwood-Memorial Hospital in Woodbury, New Jersey, where she served as chief resident. After practicing emergency medicine and then several years of private practice in family medicine, she joined the faculty of the Underwood-Memorial Family Medicine Residency in 1994. Dr. VanDerwerken is currently the Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at Underwood-Memorial Hospital. She is board certified in both Family Medicine and Adolescent Medicine.
Suzanne’s interest in diabetes is both professional and personal. In addition to treating patients in the office and hospital, she serves on the advisory board for the Underwood-Memorial Diabetes Education Program. Suzanne has over 33 years of personal experience as a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus and received a kidney-pancreas transplant in 2000.
Suzanne and her husband Joseph live in southern New Jersey with their 3 teenage daughters. She volunteers as an art history teacher in the local elementary school and works with her church youth organization.
Diabetes Living Today® radio program, provides listeners with education, inspiration and motivation to live healthy and well with diabetes. Whether you have diabetes or know someone who does Diabetes Living Today® radio program offers experience, insight, education and tips to manage life with diabetes. Through interviews, including “World Class” Research Scientist, physicians and people living with diabetes, living well tips and questions from the listening audience, host Kitty Castellini and Endocrinologist Dr. Joseph J. Fallon, Jr. are there every step of the way to offer guidance, advice, and most of all, support.
This week Kitty and Dr. Fallon will interview Endocrinologist, Dr. Karen Agersborg. Listener’s are invited to call in with their questions and comments. Tuesday Evening 8:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm (EST) Cruisin 92.1 FM~WVLT, streaming live on the web at www.wvlt.com Call In: 856-696-0092.
She completed her internal medicine residency at UNDMJ; and her fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
Currently, she is Chief of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. This year she received the distinguished teaching award from Chestnut Hospital.
Dr. Agersborg volunteers as a physician with the Penn Athletic Club on boathouse row in Philadelphia, for the elite rowers. She rows most morning on the Schuylkill before work.
