Who is Divabetic?
Divabetic, LLC is a national 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization and industry leader specializing in non-traditional and non-clinical diabetes education. Divabetic promotes “wellness with a wow” to change attitudes and to encourage prevention, early action, and education to manage diabetes and diabetes-related complications.
Divabetic reaches hundreds of thousands of women, men, and their families throughout the United States and online with an engaging, entertaining, and inspirational approach to diabetes management and self-care. Our network includes nationally recognized certified diabetes educators, beauty/fashion experts, motivators, and diabetes community peers who contribute their expertise and personal experiences to makeover diabetes education and support and to promote health and wellness in a glam new way.
At Divabetic, we want to empower you to stay healthy and positive about diabetes self-care management AND to do it in a bold and sassy way. There’s no need to go it alone – we’re here to help with plenty of tools to help you build an entourage of family, friends, and healthcare collaborators. Start or continue your journey right here, right now, for a refreshing approach to diabetes and wellness. As we say, don’t get down, get diva!
“I’ve always been independent. I’ve always had courage. But I didn’t always own my diabetes.”
Mary Tyler Moore
Why We Do What We Do?
The mission of Divabetic is to transform lives by changing attitudes, boosting spirits, and encouraging hope and motivation for those living with, affected by, or at risk of diabetes. Through innovative programs, outreach events, and online communities, Divabetic is a circle of care and support. It links patients and their healthcare collaborators, translation of clinical speak, and bridges denial and acceptance, fear and confidence.
We meet the challenges and opportunities of diabetes care and concerns with a Glam More, Fear Less philosophy so that no one has to struggle alone or in silence. You may have diabetes, but diabetes doesn’t have you.
“I’ve Got a New Attitude”
Patti LaBelle
Our History (2003 – 2023)
Divabetic was inspired by the late R&B legend Luther Vandross, founded in 2005 by his long-time assistant, Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek. Divabetic, a combination of the word “diabetic” with the letter “V” inserted for Vandross, evokes feelings of power and a positive attitude associated with the great divas Luther loved, like Patti LaBelle.
Max attended and presented outreach at various health fairs in New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, and Columbia, SC, for the next two years. Then, he began volunteering at the dLife tapings. At these tapings, he met the who’s who of the diabetes community, from Mother Love and Nicole Johnson, former Miss America, to New York-based doctors, nurses, and certified diabetes educators. Two women living with type 1 diabetes he met at the tapings, Dana Hariton and Amy Jordan, joined him in offering free diabetes coaching classes at the McBurney YMCA. During this time, Divabetic formalized its commitment and programming specifically to address women and diabetes, becoming the only national nonprofit to do so at the time. Divabetic also became the only diabetes nonprofit to talk about sex and advanced programming to tackle sensitive subjects, such as how diabetes affects intimacy and relationships.
Divabetic’s buzz led to a national 15-city Makeover Your Diabetes Tour, with Divabetic Clubs established in New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Cleveland, OH, and West Palm Beach, FL. Plus, a partnership with Mount Sinai Hospital to present family diabetes outreach programs (Broomstick Bash and March Of the Penguins).
With special appearances at numerous venues, including health expos, hospitals, clinics, community centers, churches, beauty salons, and parades – all reaching hundreds of thousands of women, men, and their families.
Over time and due to the risk and prevalence of diabetes, Divabetic’s outreach efforts broadened to generate interest in overall health. The extended sisterhood continues to grow in confidence, commitment, and programming for women and their families. There’s a glamorous, hip, fun, and friendly manner to Divabetic’s outreach, including plenty of high energy and positive reinforcement.
Divabetic has become one of the country’s leading health and wellness nonprofits with a novel, nontraditional, non-threatening, and unconventional approach to patient awareness, education, motivation, and care. What started as a one-time fundraising endeavor has transformed into a movement on the front lines of health and wellness outreach with a reputation for diabetes messaging in a glam new way.
Recognition
This novel approach has not gone unnoticed. Divabetic’s online and on-the-ground initiatives have reached countless people across the country and the web. Riva Greenberg of The Huffington Post described Divabetic outreach as “pop-music style diabetes education…with a touch of glamour.” Michael Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York City (NY), Michael H. Nutter, the former mayor of Philadelphia (PA), and the Honorable Barack H. Obama, II, 44th President of the United States of America, have all praised Divabetic’s commitment to health and wellness.
I am on a mission to change attitudes in those affected by diabetes to stay healthy and upbeat about their care so they can continue to enjoy the glamorous life.
Max Szadek
Join the movement. Sign-up for eNews, listen to or download Divabetic podcasts, connect with Divabetic on social, attend or start Divabetic Club meetings in your community, and donate today.
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