Discovery Health is looking for teens and young adults (maybe you?) to share with others what it's like to live with type 1 diabetes.
They'd like you to record a one-minute video that's a message to the next President. Tell them a little about your story and let them know how you'd like diabetes care to be improved. This is a great chance to really inform them as they take office.
If you want to get involved, please work quickly. According to the video entries are due by October 24th, though their web site says November 1st.
Everyone will get a chance to vote for their top three choices and then they'll use that to pick the winners. I'll update this blog post as I learn more.
I stumbled across the Pharma 2.0 blog recently after getting a Google News alert about a posting there.
Bunny's post is about the influence that certain key people (patient opinion leaders) have on others. In her post, she explains
These are individuals who are well-versed on their disease and are influencing thousands of others with their writing. I’m not saying that KOL’s (Key Opinion Leaders, usually refers to physicians) are on the wane, but industry should start paying more attention to this new generation of influencer.
She lists several well-known bloggers and me. I can't really think of myself as in the same league as the rest, so I'm grateful for the compliment.
I have to agree with her. For someone living with a chronic disease I'm much more influenced by what I learn from friends online and in real life. That's because their experiences are based on the tricks they've learned from managing this irritating condition.
Doctors and CDEs are important, however unless they also have diabetes they can only advise and guide based on the experience they've had in dealing with hundreds of patients and in their study and reading. I don't trivialize any of this, but living with the disease does give an empathy and connection that can't always be appreciated.
The Diabetes Technology Blog is focused on using technology to live life to the full with diabetes. I review new diabetes technology including: blood glucose monitors; continuous glucose monitors; blood sugar meters; diabetes software and living with diabetes.
About Me
Name: Bernard Farrell
Location: Massachusetts, United States
I was born in Ireland and now live in the US.
I have had Type 1 diabetes for over 36 years. I struggle with my blood sugar, the same as most people with diabetes.
I wear a Cozmo 1800 insulin pump and a Dexcom SEVEN Plus CGM to track my blood glucose levels.
I'm blessed by God, and every day brings the possibility of a cure.