Miss Diabetes – Divabetic

11/14/202111/14/2021

Divabetic Celebrates World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14 to mark the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting. He discovered the insulin hormone along with Charles Herbert Best in 1922. According to experts, an estimated 463 million people worldwide are living with diabetes.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is “Access to Diabetes Care – If Not Now, When?”, putting across the timely message for diabetes care.

The World Diabetes Day organization highlights a greater need for education on disease and treatment, dietary changes, and exercise to keep blood sugar levels within tighter management.

We’re advocating for insulin for all. A hundred years ago, Frederick Banting and Charles Best sold the patent for $1 each to be accessible for all. Today the cost of insulin has increased by over 1,200%. Why the cost of insulin has skyrocketed is more complicated than a hashtag or meme to explain. You can point the finger at manufacturers, insurance companies, middlemen, politicians but still, miss a few others. Regardless of who is to blame, the hard truth is that this crisis forces people to resort to drastic measures to stay alive. Many, many, many people are rationing their insulin with tragic consequences. This has to stop. Maybe it’s time on World Diabetes Day to advocate for #insulin4all?

Artwork courtesy of Miss Diabetes. Visit: https://missdiabetes.com

Over the years, Divabetic has presented many free outreach programs and podcasts supporting World Diabetes Day.

Earlier this week, we hosted both a podcast and virtual program in support of World Diabetes Day.

On this podcast, we’re celebrating people’s ability to thrive living with diabetes with inspiration from the great Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, who lived with diabetes before the discovery of insulin. Guests include Toby Smithson, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic. Throughout this podcast, we feature music from Puccini: Great Opera Arias courtesy of SONY Music.

This past Thursday, we hosted a free program, ‘Once In A Blue Moon’ featuring Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport LCSW, PsyD, MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR and Catherine Schuller on Zoom

We have proudly partnered with the American Diabetes Association, Mount Sinai and Beth Israel Hospitals in New York, NY, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. We’ve also taken to the streets and hosted free health fairs at Union Square Park and the Apollo Theater in New York, NY.

However, one of our fondest World Diabetes Day memories dates back to a decade ago. Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller persuaded Wendy Williams to “GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS” on national TV! As a result, Wendy wore a blue dress on her daytime TV show supporting World Diabetes Day. It was a fantastic moment!!

https://youtu.be/6b0a7Ic0YEs

In early September, Wendy Williams was allegedly rushed to the hospital for psychiatric services. One source said,” Wendy was drinking every day, even while filming the show,” leading to her hospitalization.

Thankfully, the TV star recently posted this message on Instagram: “HOW YOU DOIN’? I MISS YOU ALL! As everyone knows, my health has been a hot topic.” She added, “I’m a woman of a certain age, and I know enough to listen to my doctors and will return to my purple chair as soon as we all agree I’m ready. I’m doing everything I can to get back to work, but right now, Wendy has to focus on Wendy.”

09/14/2021

Mr. Divabetic Joins T1International’s Digital Demonstration Advocating for Affordable Insulin.

Mr. Divabetic is honored to participate in @T1International’s Digital Demonstration advocating for affordable insulin.

According to Health Action International/ACCISS, one in two people worldwide can’t reliably access or afford their insulin.

Insulin is a life-saving medication. Rising costs have made access to affordable insulin far more difficult for people with diabetes, especially low-income individuals, those on high deductible health plans, beneficiaries using Medicare Part B to cover insulin delivered via pump, Medicare beneficiaries in the Part D donut hole, and those who turn 26 and must transition from their parents’ insurance, to manage their diabetes and avoid unnecessary complications and hospitalizations.

What About Walmart?

Walmart’s insulin ( retailing for $72.88 per vial and $85.88 per FlexPen for people without insurance) is not the answer, it’s part of the solution.

Walmart’s over-the-counter insulins don’t perform nearly as well as the more expensive insulins, and that gap in performance can have a very negative effect on the health of people with diabetes.

Thank you to Miss Diabetes for animating Mr. Divabetic in his fruit suit.

Join T1international’s Global Advocacy Network, your local #insulin4all Chapter, or consider starting one of your own!

We’re talking with two leading doctors (an Optometrist and a Retina Specialist, and Surgeon) and two diabetes advocates about eye health, and vision loss related to diabetes with musical inspiration from TLC.

Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults. This is a growing problem as the number of people living with diabetes increases, so does the number of people with impaired vision. Diabetes can cause a disease of the eye called diabetic retinopathy (DR). In its early stages, you may not notice any symptoms or changes to your eyesight, and you cannot tell that this condition is damaging your eyes. If it is not detected and treated in a timely manner, your vision can be damaged permanently.

Guests include Sherrol Reynolds M.D. (Associate Professor and Chief of Advanced Ophthalmic Care at the Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, President of the National Optometric Association (NOA)), Rishi Singh, M.D. (Retina Specialist and Staff Surgeon at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic), Andrea Sledge, Natalie Karabel, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.

Throughout our podcast, we are featuring music from TLC’s CrazySexyCool album courtesy of SONY Music.

09/05/202109/05/2021

t1international’s Insulin Crisis Digital Demonstration Campaign Needs You!

1 in 4 people with diabetes is forced to ration insulin — too often, fatally — because costs continue to skyrocket! Join Mr. Divabetic in supporting @t1international’s Insulin Crisis Digital Demonstration Campaign. Added bonus: @miss__diabetes will animate you!

@T1International aims to highlight the severity of the insulin crisis.

In 1923, the discoverers of insulin sold its patent for $1, hoping the low price would keep the essential treatment available to everyone who needed it.

Now, retail prices in the US are around the $300 range for all insulins from the three major brands that control the market reports the BBC.

Submit your photos to fellow diabetes advocate @miss_diabetes by September 10, 2021.

LEARN MORE

Be part of my animation for T1International and their Insulin Crisis Digital Demonstration!

Here’s how:

Step 1: Take a selfie of yourself holding a sign that states 1 in 2 Can’t Access INSULIN #insulin4all #insulin1in2 – these hashtags are important, so don’t forget to add them! (Your message just has to be visible.)

Step 2: Post a photo of yourself to your Instagram and Tag T1International and @missdiabetes

Step 3: Submit your photo to Miss Diabetes and let her do her magic!

This global demonstration is open to anyone who wants to send a message to Big Pharma and to people who don’t know about the insulin crisis that is affecting people with diabetes.

If you participate, you will be entered into a random drawing to win a Custom Portrait Print of Yourself (giclee printed) by Miss Diabetes! DEADLINE: 9/10/21

Please help us highlight the insulin crisis during the 100th year of the discovery of insulin and to #advocatedontcelebrate #insulin4all

09/03/202109/03/2021

Be Take Part of T1International’s Insulin Crisis Digital Demonstration with Miss Diabetes

It’s been a hundred years this year since the discovery of insulin, and @T1International is having a global digital demonstration campaign to highlight the severity of the insulin crisis.

In 1923, the discoverers of insulin sold its patent for $1, hoping the low price would keep the essential treatment available to everyone who needed it.

In 2019, retail prices in the US are around the $300 range for all insulins from the three major brands that control the market, reports the BBC.

Many people living with type 1 diabetes struggle to survive because they cannot afford or access their life-saving insulin, blood glucose strips, or basic healthcare. Others are caught in conflict where there is little humanitarian assistance for people with diabetes.

The #insulin4all campaign unites the diabetes community to fight together for access to diabetes supplies, care, and treatment for everyone.

There is an active global community fighting for #insulin4all. Advocates have pushed for Universal Health Coverage and demonstrated outside Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, Indiana. Others are building networks in their countries and carrying out advocacy plans to ensure insulin and vital supplies are available and affordable.

Miss Diabetes is creating animation for @t1international and their Insulin Crisis Digital Demonstration Campaign! She would love to invite you to be a part of it!

Just post a photo of yourself with a poster stating 1 in 2 Can’t Access INSULIN #insulin4all #insulin1in2 – and tag @T1International and @MissDiabetes and you can see an illustrated version of yourself in the animation!

The animation will be part of T1International’s annual workshop on September 18, 2021, so please email your photos in by September 10, 2021!

LEARN MORE

We’re talking with two leading doctors (an Optometrist and a Retina Specialist, and Surgeon)and two diabetes advocates about eye health, and vision loss related to diabetes with musical inspiration from TLC.

Diabetes can cause diabetic retinopathy (DR). In its early stages, you may not notice any symptoms or changes to your eyesight, and you cannot tell that this condition is damaging your eyes. If it is not detected and treated in a timely manner, your vision can be damaged permanently.

Throughout our podcast, we are featuring music from TLC’s CrazySexyCool album courtesy of SONY Music.