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Natalie Bellini, RN, CDE, has had Type 1 diabetes since she was a young child. Within a year of finishing nursing school, she started to care for people with diabetes, focusing first on diabetes in pregnancy then pediatrics and insulin requiring adults. She has worked on the medical side of camps for children and teens in Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. She has spoken nationally and internationally as an expert in both working with teens and their parents with diabetes as well as infusion set choice, usage and maintenance. Her fundamental goal when developing the teenage curriculum for Children with Diabetes conferences is that each and every teen that attends finds a passion in life and pursues it. She is currently attending Drexel University part time in order to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Natalie is a senior territory manager with Animas Corporation and mom to her own teen, Erin, who is now a junior in college.
Betty Brackenridge, MS, RD, CDE, Director of Professional Education for Diabetes Management and Training Centers, Inc. (DMTC) of Phoenix, Arizona, is a Past-President of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and served a six-year term on the US Centers for Disease Control's Technical Advisory Committee on Diabetes. She has developed and delivered programs on clinical care and experiential learning in diabetes to health professionals in some 35 countries. She has also authored over 100 publications for both lay persons and professionals, the most recent ones being Draw Wide the Circle of Love: How to Unite Your Family in the Care of a Child with Diabetes and Diabetes Myths, Misconceptions and Big Fat Lies!, the patient text for DMTC's Discovering DiabetesTM adult patient education program. She is also the author, with Kris Swenson, of the Discovering Diabetes program and, with Dr. Richard Rubin, of Sweet Kids, a popular and highly regarded book for families that presents diabetes nutrition and self-care in the context of optimal family functioning. Betty is a long-time friend of Children with Diabetes and is the Coordinator of the Friends for Life Grandparents' Track.
Dana Dignard, RD, CDE, has had type 1 diabetes for 24 years. She has 16 years of experience as a dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator working as a paediatric and adult educator at Centenary Health Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Two years ago, Dana had the exciting opportunity to begin working with Animas Canada as a Territory Manager in Ontario Central. She loves her new role with Animas and is looking forward to being part of the CWD family. Dana is also a busy mom to her two children Mathieu and Cassia and has all the help in the world from her husband Dan.
Jim Johnson, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences and the Department of Surgery at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Johnson is a graduate of Lakehead University and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Alberta before receiving post-doctoral training at Washington University in St. Louis with Drs. Kenneth Polonsky and Stan Misler. An expert in the fundamental biology of diabetes, he is the author of over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2000, many in prestigious journals. His current work focuses on the processes that control the survival of pancreatic beta-cells in type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and islet transplantation. He holds grants from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Stem Cell Network, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Dr. Johnson has held the prestigious international Career Development Award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as Scholarships from the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. He was the 2009 Researcher of the Year in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences at the University of British Columbia. He supervises a large team of staff scientists, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates in the laboratory at the UBC Life Sciences Institute Diabetes Research Group (www.diabetes.ubc.ca). He also teaches senior undergraduate and graduate lectures in physiology, endocrinology and the molecular mechanisms of human diseases at UBC. In his spare time, he enjoys playing hockey and spending time with his daughter Danica and wife Dr. Sarah Walshaw.
Tom Karlya, Vice President of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, is commonly known throughout the diabetes community as Diabetes Dad, his pen name used virtually everywhere, including his monthly column which appears at www.dLife.com/diabetesdad. He has been active in diabetes causes since his daughter, Kaitlyn, was diagnosed in 1992 at the age of 2. Tom has been introduced to the New York State Capitol, testified in Washington, D.C., appeared at diabetes-related events at the United Nations and has lectured, taught, and chaired many conferences, panels and keynotes about being a Diabetes Dad. He also received numerous commendations for his work in the Katrina efforts where he was instrumental in organizing relief efforts to over 10,000 people with diabetes. Tom was awarded The Jeff Hitchcock Distinguished Service Award from The Children with Diabetes in 2008. For 12 years as an actor, he starred in the New York City Production of Tony 'N Tina's Wedding, working with the original NY Company and also at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., in Summer of the 17th Doll. His film, lbs., was seen at the Sundance Film Festival, and he appeared in Unsolved Mysteries, Spin City, The Cosby Show, NYPD Blue, Law and Order, America's Most Wanted, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and other shows as well as numerous commercials. If you ask Tom he will tell you that above everything else, he's just a CWD Dad.
Kim Kelly, Pharm. D., BCPS, FCCP, is President of Kelly Diabetes Associates, and former Director of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute-North America. Dr. Kelly has a lengthy and distinguished career involving patient care, academic medicine, and organizational involvement including President of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Chairman of the ACCP Research Institute, and Board of Directors of the Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association. His research and experience have included a number of publications, participation on editorial boards and review panels of several journals, involvement in medical curriculum development, and various committees of professional organizations. Currently, his activities center around developing diabetes health management and educational programs for various health care providers and provider organizations. Delighted to work with children and teens alike, Dr. Kelly participated as a volunteer in the Orlando and Universal City Friends for Life conferences, where he became 'hooked' in working with the wonderful CWD kids and families. He joined CWD as 'regular faculty' in 2004, focusing on the Tween programming and providing presentations on various topics to parents as well.
Scott and Heather Kyllo live in British Columbia, Canada with their two children, Alyssa (17) & Chad (15). Their path along the diabetes road started in 1996 when their son, Chad, then age 2 was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when they were residing in Bahrain in the Middle East. The World Wide Web had just arrived in Bahrain and it brought to the Kyllo's the safety of the CWD family. Two years later, when life was becoming somewhat comfortable and routine, Alyssa, then age 7, was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Chad was also diagnosed with celiac disease in 2001. The family attended their first Friends For Life conference in 2002. Getting to meet the CWD'ers in person was like Christmas in July! Scott is Director of International Operations, IT Division for Conservation International. He works from home in what is often referred to as "Mission Control" supporting 56 offices in 29 countries. Heather is a homemaker, as well as a facilitator for a local support group for the 40+ families in the Vernon area living with diabetes. Heather also works at the local curling club as Office Manager. The Kyllo's are extensively involved in curling during the winter months. Their summers are spent enjoying the Sunny Okanagan on Shuswap Lake. They are strong advocates of the CWD conferences and believe anyone with a connection to diabetes should attend at least one…although warn that the conferences are much like potato chips… hard to stop at just one.
Lauren Lanning, mom of Monica, 16, dx 8/96, pumping 5/99, CGM 9/05, and Sarah, 14 ... her CWD "sig line." Lauren became involved with CWD shortly after her daughter was diagnosed in 1996. She has been involved in the CWD diabetes conferences since the very first gathering in Orlando in 2000, where she volunteered to make name badges. Lauren now coordinates the Elementary Programming for every CWD conference. Back home in Denver, she has served on the boards of the JDRF and CWD Foundation. She and her husband Steve have chaired and coached her local JDRF Ride team for many years. Lauren has worked as an elementary school computer teacher and now works at The Children’s Diabetes Foundation at Denver as the IT Manager.
Barb Marche is the founder and creator of the website www.diabetesadvocacy.com, which focuses on educating, advocating, and promoting the awareness of Type 1 diabetes. As a mother of two children, one of whom has Type 1 diabetes, Barb devotes her time to working on issues affecting people with diabetes in Canada. She was the major driving force in creating changes to the Disability Tax Credit for those living with Type 1 Diabetes in Canada. Barb has a special interest in the issue of children with diabetes in the school system and is a vocal advocate for the need of federal unity on the subject. Barb continues to work with the Canadian Diabetes Association and other groups to see real changes in all provinces on a variety of advocacy issues.
Daniel L. Metzger, MD, FAAP, FRCPC, is a Pediatric Endocrinologist at BC Children's Hospital and a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia. Originally from Ohio, Dr. Metzger came to work in his present position in Vancouver in 1993. He has worked at Camp Kakhamela, the Canadian Diabetes Association's camp for children with diabetes in British Columbia, for the past 15 years, where he is currently the Medical Director. Dr. Metzger is also a member of the Executive of the CDA Clinical & Scientific Section and of the Canadian Society of Endocrinology & Metabolism. Dr. Metzger is the webmaster for the BCCH Endocrinology & Diabetes unit's very active website, endodiab.bcchildrens.ca.
Bruce A. Perkins, MD, is Assistant Professor in Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Toronto. He has an endocrinology and diabetes practice at the Toronto General Hospital, is a diabetes researcher using the tools of epidemiology and clinical research, and is a Canadian Diabetes Association Scholar. Trained in endocrinology at Harvard University and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Dr. Perkins is a highly regarded clinician focusing on using new technologies for the management of diabetes. He is also actively involved in research initiatives that work toward preventing the complications of diabetes, with a focus on the natural history of nerve and kidney complications. Further influencing and driving his clinical and research work is the fact that Dr. Perkins was diagnosed with diabetes as a teenager.
Michelle Rago is a CWD mom and active member of the parents' list. She graduated from Harvard University (magna cum laude) where she received the Ben Teel Memorial Prize for Public Service. She graduated from Columbia University School of Law, where she represented children in foster care and received a Charles Evans Hughes Fellowship for public service. Michelle's son Trent was diagnosed in 2000 at age 4. Due to the diagnosis, Trent's daycare would not accept him back. Since then, Michelle has become well versed in the changing laws with relation to diabetes and school, insurance coverage, and discrimination on account of diabetes. She is active with the American Diabetes Association Legal Advocacy group. Michelle has recently become an expert on monogenic diabetes, after it was discovered that her adopted daughter Maya had monogenic, not Type 1, diabetes. (Michelle's family adopted Maya from foster care after hearing about her at a CWD conference.) Michelle is also mom to Michela and husband to Tim, both of whom actively participate in diabetes care at home. For her work with CWD families, Michelle was awarded the Jeff Hitchcock Distinguished Service Award in 2006.
Mike Riddell, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Sciences at York University. In addition to loving his job as a university professor investigating the effects of exercise and stress on diabetes, he loves mountain biking, playing squash and jogging. He has been living with type 1 diabetes since the age of 14 and has always been physically active and interested in metabolism. Recently, Dr. Riddell developed a unique sports camp at York University for youth (ages 10-17 years) with type 1 diabetes interested in improving their skills at soccer, tennis or basketball. He is currently training for a half marathon with friends who also have type 1 diabetes.
Richard Rubin, Ph.D., C.D.E., Psychologist, past president of the American Diabetes Association, and Professor in Medicine and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Author of Psyching Out Diabetes and Sweet Kids, Optimal Pumping, and 101 Tips for Coping with Diabetes, Dr. Rubin is Stefan Rubin's father. Stefan is also on the conference faculty and is a co-author of Optimal Pumping and 101 Tips for Coping with Diabetes. Dr. Rubin is a sought after speaker for both professionals and people living with diabetes. He speaks with authority and warmth on the human side of diabetes.
Harold Sanco is the 1998 United States National Master's Aerobic Champion and two time bronze medalist at the National Step Challenge Competition. He has been voted Washington, DC's "Best Instructor" by Washingtonian Magazine and the Washington Post. He is an internationally acclaimed instructor having taught in seven countries. His "Urban Funk" aerobics class has been highlighted in People, Allure and "W" magazines. At CWD conference, Harold helps kids and adults learn that exercising can be fun.
Gary Scheiner, MS, CDE is a Certified Diabetes Educator and Exercise Physiologist who has had type 1 diabetes for 25 years. He owns and operates Integrated Diabetes Services, a private practice located just outside of Philadelphia specializing in intensive insulin therapy for children and adults with Type-1 diabetes. He and his staff of diabetes educators provide consultations throughout the world via phone and internet. Gary earned a BA from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Master of Science from Benedictine University. He received his diabetes training with the Joslin Diabetes Center. In addition to serving on the Children With Diabetes faculty, Gary serves on the Board of Directors for the Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association and is an active volunteer for the ADA, JDRF and Setebaid Diabetes Camps. Gary has written four books and dozens of articles on various topics in intensive diabetes management. He has received several awards for his teaching tools and techniques, and speaks regularly at regional, national and international conferences. A husband, father of four and avid sports fan, Gary has been a pump user since 1994, and a CGM and Symlin user since 2006.
Mike Schurig, MS, RD, LD, CDE, serves as Conferences and Content Manager for Children With Diabetes. As a diabetes educator, registered dietitian and person with type 1 diabetes since the age of 12, Mike has had extensive experience in diabetes education with kids and parents. Mike is active with local ADA activities, regional diabetes educator groups, and the CWD website. His interests are insulin pump education and technical advances in diabetes. Mike enjoys visiting the nearby theme parks and enjoying Central Florida with his wife Gayle and his daughter Allyson.
Joe Solowiejczyk, RN, MSW, was President of InBalance Healthcare, a counseling and education service for health care professionals and adults and children with diabetes, for over 10 years. He currently works for LifeScan, as Manager of Diabetes Counseling & Training and is a faculty member of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute. Joe is healthcare professional who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for over 49 years, Mr. Solowiejczyk has been able to translate his personal experience into patient care. As a diabetes nurse educator and family therapist, he specializes in assessing how family dynamics impact management of diabetes and designing interventions that result in more effective coping and optimal metabolic control.
Teen Programming Staff
Natalie Bellini, RN, CDE, has had Type 1 diabetes since she was a young child. Within a year of finishing nursing school, she started to care for people with diabetes, focusing first on diabetes in pregnancy then pediatrics and insulin requiring adults. She has worked on the medical side of camps for children and teens in Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. She has spoken nationally and internationally as an expert in both working with teens and their parents with diabetes as well as infusion set choice, usage and maintenance. Her fundamental goal when developing the teenage curriculum for Children with Diabetes conferences is that each and every teen that attends finds a passion in life and pursues it. She is currently attending Drexel University part time in order to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Natalie is a senior territory manager with Animas Corporation and mom to her own teen, Erin, who is now a junior in college.
Lorelei Domaschuk, RN, CDE, and husband Blair were introduced to diabetes in 1999 when their son, Austin, was diagnosed at 2 1/2 years of age. Austin starting pumping at 3 1/2 years of age. In 2006, their daughter Meagan was diagnosed at 7 1/2 years of age. She used an insulin pump from day one. Their oldest daughter Nikki attends university. Diabetes keeps Lorelei busy, helping her children learn to control their diabetes effectively. Diabetes for Lorelei is not just at home, but also on the job. She is the manager for Primary Care and Chronic Disease Management in Central Zone Alberta; diabetes programming for all ages is a passion for her. She also volunteers as an advocate with CDA and with JDRF reaching for a cure. The Domaschuk family attended their first CWD conference in Toronto in 2007 and now strongly encourage all families to attend CWD events.
Alanna Landry RN, CDE, has been a pediatric nurse for 20 years and has worked with children with type 1 diabetes for 13. She is part of a great team of professionals at Markham Stouffville Hospitals Pediatric Diabetes program. She feels honored and privileged that each day she is able to work with the great kids and families that attend their clinic. After attending the Friends for Life conference in Orlando last summer, Alanna knew that she needed to give back to CWD because the experience inspired and moved her deeply. When not at work, she is parenting three teenagers Kelsi 18, Taylor 16, and Carter 13.
Chloe Steepe is an Expedition Guide and Outdoor Educator. Her family is still confused as to how this happened considering she grew up in downtown Toronto. Regardless, she has spent the past 5 years leading extended canoe and raft trips all over Canada, as well as traveling in Europe, South and Central America, and Australia and New Zealand, where she circumnavigated the South Island of New Zealand by bicycle. 2009 found her dog sledding in Canada's far north, training for her first half marathons, guiding a canoe trip to the Arctic Ocean and teaching diabetes-related education to youth in the Inuit Community of Igloolik, Nunavut. Diabetes has come along with Chloe on all of her adventures - she is set to celebrate her 1st decade of living with Type 1 in August 2010. She is the founder of 'Connected in Motion', a not-for-profit organization that uses outdoor adventure and physical activity as a forum for experiential diabetes education for young adults in Canada.
Meg Stevens does all things diabetes! Her venture in diabetes began with a Team Diabetes marathon with her brother in Dublin, Ireland, and she hasn't stopped running in the diabetes world since then. Meg plays a pivotal role in diabetes advocacy across Canada, by increasing the access of diabetes technology, both professionally and through volunteer work with Canadian Diabetes Association and JDRF. Meg has worked within the diabetes industry for the past seven years, holding several roles, and is on the National Advocacy Council, which shapes, forms, and implements diabetes-related policies across all provinces, with CDA. The Children with Diabetes website was a huge source of information for Meg growing up and she is delighted to be able to support CWD, as they have her.
Jim Vail was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 19 while he was a sophomore at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Jim graduated with a degree in Media Communications and was a producer for CNBC Business news in Washington, D.C., for nine years all the while wrestling with the unpredictability of NPH and Regular insulin. After finally going on a pump in October of 2001 and 'getting his life back,' Jim pursued Animas Corporation, the maker of his insulin pump, for a job and a chance to reach others with diabetes. Jim made the jump from CNBC and has been with Animas Corporation since April 2002.
Tween Programming Staff
Justin Abel attended his first CWD conference in 2002 after his daughter Saylor was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in December 2001. Once he started attending more CWD conferences, his wife Sunshine did not have to twist his arm for him to realize he wanted to get more involved. He is also dad to Sierra, who is a teen volunteer with CWD.
Kim Babcock, RD, CDE, has worked in paediatric diabetes for almost 20 years, and enjoys working with children and their families. She has volunteered at several CWD conferences, including Friends for Life in Orlando in 2009. Kim has volunteered for the Canadian Diabetes Association, assisting with the development of the paediatric component of the Beyond the Basic Resource Manual. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two girls, and their pets! Along with insulin, Kim feels that laughter really is the best medicine!
Whitney Gowanlock, RN, CDE, has worked in adult and paediatric diabetes education for the past 15 years and is a certified pump trainer. She is a past chair of the National Paediatric Interest Group of the Canadian Diabetes Association and sits on the exam writing committee for DES. Whitney is a member on the Provincial School Task Force, working to ensure safety of children with diabetes in schools and to standardize education materials. She has worked with local First Nation communities to assist in the prevention of type 2 diabetes for the last eight years. She is the proud mother of four children. Whitney enjoys camping, reading, traveling and caring for the 265 patients she calls family.
Kim Kelly, Pharm. D., BCPS, FCCP, is President of Kelly Diabetes Associates, and former Director of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute-North America. Dr. Kelly has a lengthy and distinguished career involving patient care, academic medicine, and organizational involvement including President of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Chairman of the ACCP Research Institute, and Board of Directors of the Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association. His research and experience have included a number of publications, participation on editorial boards and review panels of several journals, involvement in medical curriculum development, and various committees of professional organizations. Currently, his activities center around developing diabetes health management and educational programs for various health care providers and provider organizations. Delighted to work with children and teens alike, Dr. Kelly participated as a volunteer in the Orlando and Universal City Friends for Life conferences, where he became 'hooked' in working with the wonderful CWD kids and families. He joined CWD as 'regular faculty' in 2004, focusing on the Tween programming and providing presentations on various topics to parents as well.
Sarah Ketcheson was diagnosed with diabetes at 14. She attended Camp Huronda, a summer camp for kids with diabetes in Ontario, Canada, as both a camper and staff member for 10 years where she got to swing on high ropes, go on canoe trips and hang out by the lake. She has a background in Ecology and is a certified teacher who currently gets to combine these two interests while working at an Outdoor Education Centre.
Melissa Ringley, RN, CDE, became a registered nurse in 1991. Shortly afterward, Elizabeth, her 3 year old daughter, was diagnosed with diabetes. It became abundantly clear to Melissa that she should learn all she could to help her daughter maintain a healthy and happy life with diabetes. Melissa has dedicated her entire career to diabetes since that moment. She brings her own personal experience to CWD families and understands the many stages of development and how diabetes impacts both the patient and family. Melissa's previous career as a certified diabetes educator has included a variety of settings including diabetes education centers, multi-physician practices, and hospitals. Melissa's expertise is in insulin pump therapy in children. She has been working with Animas Corporation since 2001. At Animas, she has worked both nationally and internationally as a clinical manager and she is now a Territory Manager in Tennessee. Her daughter is now a junior in college.
Elementary Programming Staff
Sunshine Abel is the mother of two beautiful girls, Sierra and Saylor. She attended her first CWD conference with her family in 2002, after Saylor was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Ever since then, Sunshine knew she had found a new family and a new home where kids were experiencing the same thing as Saylor. She then made it her mission to involve her whole family, including her Aunt Libby. Sunshine, husband Justin, and Aunt Libby all have volunteered for several years at Friends for Life conferences. Sunshine is currently working on an RN degree.
Lorraine Anderson, BSc, RD, CDE, is a registered dietitian and diabetes educator. She has had type 1 diabetes for over 20 years and believes that having diabetes has made her a stronger and healthier person. Currently Lorraine is employed as a Clinical Manager with Animas Canada working in the Toronto area and is very passionate about insulin pump therapy. She enjoys working with kids with type 1 diabetes at Camp Huronda in the summer months and is a busy full-time mom to her three children Nicholas, Nathan and Kara.
Sam Billetdeaux, diagnosed at age 8, is determined that diabetes will never get in the way of his life dreams. Sam is an active member of the CWD Young Adult program and has traveled to Denmark, Italy, the UK, and all across the United States to exchange ideas with other CWD teens, young adults, and their families. Sam is an avid athlete and enjoys running and working out with friends. He is a junior in college studying Spanish and the environment.
Marilyn Fry, RD, CDE is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. Marilyn has been working with children with type 1 diabetes for almost 20 years. Initially, Marilyn worked at the pediatric diabetes clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She currently works with families with type 1 diabetes at Markham Stouffville Hospital in Markham, Ontario. Her interests include insulin pump education and toddler feeding challenges.
Jen Hanson has grown up with diabetes. She was diagnosed at age three, and began attending Camp Huronda when she was eight. It was here that she met some of the most influential and amazing young people living with type 1 diabetes. She has been involved with Huronda for the past seventeen years as a camper, climbing staff, challenge course staff, pottery instructor and, most recently, as the Camp's program director. Jen completed her bachelor of kinesiology and bachelor of education degrees at Brock University where she also competed as a varsity athlete. She is currently pursuing her Master of Education degree, with research focusing on the role that outdoor experience can play in the development of character in type one diabetics. Jen teaches art at the elementary level and hopes to soon begin work as an outdoor educator. She is also a member of Connected in Motion, a group of active young diabetic adults living life to the fullest, as well as being involved with the Diabetes Hope Foundation.
Lauren Lanning, mom of Monica, 16, dx 8/96, pumping 5/99, CGM 9/05, and Sarah, 14 ... her CWD "sig line." Lauren became involved with CWD shortly after her daughter was diagnosed in 1996. She has been involved in the CWD diabetes conferences since the very first gathering in Orlando in 2000, where she volunteered to make name badges. Lauren now coordinates the Elementary Programming for every CWD conference. Back home in Denver, she has served on the boards of the JDRF and CWD Foundation. She and her husband Steve have chaired and coached her local JDRF Ride team for many years. Lauren has worked as an elementary school computer teacher and now works at The Children’s Diabetes Foundation at Denver as the IT Manager.
Michelle Rago is a CWD mom and active member of the parents' list. She graduated from Harvard University (magna cum laude) where she received the Ben Teel Memorial Prize for Public Service. She graduated from Columbia University School of Law, where she represented children in foster care and received a Charles Evans Hughes Fellowship for public service. Michelle's son Trent was diagnosed in 2000 at age 4. Due to the diagnosis, Trent's daycare would not accept him back. Since then, Michelle has become well versed in the changing laws with relation to diabetes and school, insurance coverage, and discrimination on account of diabetes. She is active with the American Diabetes Association Legal Advocacy group. Michelle has recently become an expert on monogenic diabetes, after it was discovered that her adopted daughter Maya had monogenic, not Type 1, diabetes. (Michelle's family adopted Maya from foster care after hearing about her at a CWD conference.) Michelle is also mom to Michela and husband to Tim, both of whom actively participate in diabetes care at home. For her work with CWD families, Michelle was awarded the Jeff Hitchcock Distinguished Service Award in 2006.
Childcare
Mary Babin, RN, BSN, CDE is one of the first clinical employees at Animas Corporation and the first coordinator of childcare for the little ones at the CWD conferences. Mary leads a team of certified diabetes educators providing childcare in a safe environment for kids under age six with and without diabetes. Providing this service alleviates the concerns of many parents of kids with diabetes – allowing them to attend the sessions with peace of mind knowing that their children are cared for by skilled professionals. This supports Mary’s belief that education is the key to successful blood glucose management. As Executive Director of Clinical and Patient Services at Animas, she is responsible for overseeing pump educators and the pump support team throughout the US. Mary has devoted her career to the world of medicine. As a graduate of Eastern University and Presbyterian School of Nursing, Mary has been in intensive care nursing for over 25 years and a Certified Diabetes Educator for 10. This busy mom and devoted professional has been involved with CWD since 2001. You can spot her at the conferences-she’s the one with the trail of kids behind her!
Alanna Chambers, RD, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 9, just shortly after her older sister's diagnosis. From a young age, she knew that she wanted to go into a health profession field so that she could work with other families with diabetes. She completed her dietetics degree at McGill University in Montreal and has been following her dream ever since. Alanna is a registered dietitian and now works with Animas Canada as a Territory Manager in British Columbia. She loves every opportunity she can get to work with kids including volunteering at the diabetes summer camps and at CWD. Alanna is happy to ensure that the little ones are in good care and have a great time while at CWD.
Mark Chambers, PhC is happy to be involved as a newcomer to the CWD team. He is a graduate of Dalhousie University in Halifax and is currently working as a community pharmacist in Kelowna, British Columbia. Mark has always enjoyed getting involved and volunteering in many diabetes related events as his wife has type 1. He is thrilled to be working in childcare and looks forward to ensuring that each CWD conference is both fun and memorable for your children!
Alyssa Kyllo runs on insulin. She is 19 years old and currently attending Thompson Rivers University in hopes of pursuing a career in Animal Health. At the age of seven, Alyssa was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, two years after her brother had been diagnosed. Alyssa's FFL experience started in Pasadena in 2002, followed with Los Angeles (2004), Orlando (2006), Seattle (2008 and 2009) and Toronto (2009). Diabetes doesn't stop Alyssa's passion for the sport of curling, and she has learned that the key to performance is staying on top of her diabetes. At the age of eight, she started attending diabetes camp in Gibsons, B.C., and has continued as a counsellor the past 2 summers. Alyssa will be working with the four year olds during this conference and is looking forward to it!
CWD Staff
Jeff Hitchcock is the creator, editor, webmaster and president of Children with Diabetes. After earning a degree in computational mathematics in 1981, Jeff worked in high tech and traveled the world, meeting Brenda, who would become his wife, in Africa. He worked in defense related industries until 1995, when he started a small Internet company and launched Children with Diabetes. He subsequently worked at LEXIS-NEXIS and Pearson plc on Internet initiatives, and now works full time bringing Children with Diabetes to you.
A finicky connoisseur of hotel meeting space, cappuccino, and kid-friendly cheese and fruit platters, Laura Billetdeaux is CWD's VP of Education and Programs. Since 2000, Laura has organized every single CWD conference, always keeping in mind the true purpose of CWD - education and support of families with type 1, and always keeping in mind why it all works – the efforts of so many dedicated individuals. Laura lives in Manchester, Michigan with husband Neal, who graciously and energetically assists with the conference teen programs. They are parents of Sam and Carolyn who both attend universities and serve as youth faculty at CWD conferences as time allows.
Mike Schurig, MS, RD, LD, CDE, serves as Conferences and Content Manager for Children With Diabetes. As a diabetes educator, registered dietitian and person with type 1 diabetes since the age of 12, Mike has had extensive experience in diabetes education with kids and parents. Mike is active with local ADA activities, regional diabetes educator groups, and the CWD website. His interests are insulin pump education and technical advances in diabetes. Mike enjoys visiting the nearby theme parks and enjoying Central Florida with his wife Gayle and his daughter Allyson.
Julia Mattingly is mom to 13 year old Hannah and 11 year old Ethan, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10 months and who started pumping when he was 3. Julia, Ed, and the kids have been to every single Friends for Life conference and most of the regionals as well! Julia coordinates registration at each conference, and you can always find her when you need a smile and a "Hi Y'All!" Julia loves being in charge of the registration area because she gets to meet everyone who walks in the door. Her best CWD memory is from 2001 when she met all of her CWD email buddies in Orlando for the first time. She also loves to see the smiles on her kids' faces when they re-connect with their CWD friends each summer.
Local Hospitality
Grandma Sandy – Friends for Life Resident Grandma – whose books and games educate and delight children and adults throughout the world. Grandma Sandy will be on site during the conference to sign your copy of any of her books, all available free at www.grandmasandy.com and let grandparents (and others) know about sightseeing opportunities in Vancouver. Should you miss her in the lobby Grandma Sandy will be introducing our grandma with the expertise, Betty Brackenridge.
Friends for Life Canada: Vancouver 2010 is Sponsored By: Founding Sponsors 
Supporting Sponsors 
Charity Partner
Friends for Life Canada: Vancouver 2010 Introduction - Registration - Overview - Program - Program Details
Youth Program - Faculty and Staff - Sponsors
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Last Updated: Tuesday April 26, 2011 15:48:10
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