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On April 2, 2008, CWD Founder and President Jeff Hitchcock hosted a chat to discuss CWD becoming a member of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. The unedited transcript of the chat is below.
Moderator (server) Wed Apr 02 08:00:00 PM EST 2008
Our chat about CWD joining Johnson & Johnson starts at 9pm Eastern.
whats the chat about?
Riley -- we're going to chat about CWD becoming a member of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, beginning at 9pm Eastern (about 23 minutes)
Our chat about CWD joining Johnson & Johnson starts in 10 min in the 'CWD' room.
Good evening; I'm here.
Hi Laura, glad to have you here.
Hey Colleen... eater of Cadbury eggs...
I'm here too!
Oh, don't hold chocolate against me!
Ah - chocolate is a definite plus! Hmmm... I may need to run upstairs for the dark chocolate fix... 2 minutes until official chat start time!
i want chocolate my brother went to dq i want to go but he went with a friend
Hi Chelsea
hi i am good you
hi Laura and Jeff -
Good evening. Thanks for coming. This is a chance for anyone who has questions about CWD being part of Johnson & Johnson. If you haven't seen the news, CWD is now part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. More details are at:
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/CWDJoinsJnJ.htm
did i hear someone say CHOCOLATE????
hello
Stacey -- Jesse drives next month?
Hi Stacey
yup-he'll ahve his permit... OY, now i have to find a car thats big enough for him
Hi Rita. How is everyond doing tonight?
hi rita
Jeff - will you still be President of CWD?
i am scard to drive now after hearing about that guy that died he had low low and went out of contry and he did when the seme typed
Rita -- love your daughter's name -- I don't see too many Colleens
Rita, yes, I remain President of CWD and Laura continues to oversee conferences.
Laura - what's you OFFICIAL title?LOL - we know all that you do now!
Hi, How are the conferences going to change? Will they be bigger? Any in MI?
thanks Colleen - she likes it too which matters alot
Thanks for asking! I'm officially the VP of Education and Programs. That's what I was for the last 6 months at CWD - so, same job title. Lots more help!
Holly -- We hope to hold more conferences in more places.
Jeff- has there been any feedback from CWD's other sponsers ?
That's great Laura - but we know it has been more than 6 mos - GOSH it is 7 years!!
Hi Holly - Thanks for asking about conferences. Yes, there will be more... in more places. Where are you in Michigan? I'm outside Ann Arbor.
Rita, we all go waaaaay back, don't we? Neal asked if we would ever resurrect the Brown Plaid Shorts. Oh, goodness no!
What will the difference be to those of us that come to Friends for Life in 2007?
Stacey -- Yes, we've spoken with almost all of our sponsors. Some are somewhat anxious, which is to be expected. Some are very excited. Each of these companies is committed to make a difference in the lives of families living with diabetes, and we are eager to continue to work with all of them.
ummm- I know where we got them - watch what you say!
Rita -- the big difference in Friends for Life this year (2008) will be More People!
Off to chauffeur, but wanted to say congratulations!
Pam -- thanks.
I'm in Novi. Ann Arbor would be a great place. Detroit, not so good w/ our current mayor.
Re: FFL differences - this year, probably not a lot that will be evident. More people, but the venue is still the same size, so there is a limit. In future years, though, we will be able to expand the FFL conference into larger space. I am expecting 800-1,000 First Timers this year. Very exciting!
Thats good... because Jess loves the exhibiters and all the stuff they hand out
anyone else we "know" that are now officially CWD?
that a lot
Holly - we're almost neighbors! We could meet for coffee and call it a mini-conference! Seriously, the closest conference to us is Chicago next year. Here is the link to the conferences officially on the calendar: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/activities/
Rita -- we're in the process of reviewing some candidates for a couple of positions. We'll be making decisions in the next week or two and at that point we'll introduce the entire team.
Stacey - Share with Jesse - more exhibitors this year!
Stacey, you better bring an extra suitcase, a big one!
I still have the ADA bag from NY a few years ago - flat when we arrive and FULL on the ride back
Hi Pam - How did I miss you earlier? How is everything?
Thanks Laura. I'm looking forward to going to a conference. My daughter's never met another child with diabetes. Only grown ups...
I have a dumb question....... Will CWD still be run by you 2 exclusively... or will J & J try to take over and run things?? I'd hate for the familyness to disappear..
Hi Laura, Still quite...lively around here.
you beat me too it Stacey - I was going to ask if Jeff was still going to do the website and the weekly up dates......
Rita - your question reminds me that as I was reviewing the families who have registered so far for FFL, there are a handful who have been to every single one since 2000. Amazing.
Stacey -- CWD is a stand alone company within the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Franchise. We will have our own people, budget, etc. We'll bring on more people to help us to do more, both online and at conferences.
And yes Rita, I'm still sending out the Sunday What's New emails.
phew.....
i just worry.... i guess i read to many books...
Ben makes me limit what we take home. Our house was beginning to overflow from the give aways.
Laura which conference is in Chicago next year?
Hi Everyone
Those are good questions - I'm sure Jeff will answer officially. The short Laura answer is that I am very comfortable in our 'new home.' I would not personally have moved forward with something I was not entirely ok with. Jeff and I have always kept the CWD kids and families as Priority #1, and that's where everyone still is.
And - still no vacations for Jeff. At least vacations that include Sunday.
nice to hear Jeff - and will you have time for the book and product reviews?? Not to mention all the charts and what not??
Stacey, I've made a committment to ensure that CWD remains focused on our families. That is and always will be our mission.
You have my promise that CWD will remain an independent, objective voice. If you see otherwise, let me know personally.
Rita -- I am VERY much looking forward to help writing content for the web site.
sounds good to me... I gotta go run and pick up Jess. Hopefully I'll be back before 10..
bye Stacey
Chicago Focus on Best Practices, April 24-26. Same venue as the last time we were in Chicago - we were very happy with it. The Renaissance Chicago North Shore.
Hi Wendy
let me see can remove the one rubber band from fingers..tommorow night is the FFL chat....
I am glad to read the answer to the question Stacey asked....
Hi Wendy! How's everything?
everything is great here...
Holly - Take a look at the conferences and see if you can possibly get to one. One of the HUGE positives is that the kids spend the weekend together and come away with friends that they will keep for a long time. Technology (email, texting, etc.) makes that possible. At our summer conference, there are literally 200-300 kids in each age group. In the regionals, it's more like 20-30 or so in each age group. That's still a lot if you've never met another child with type 1!
I know - lots of chats! We want to be available to answer questions, though. Change can be a little scary! And tomorrow night is just our 'usual' FFL group! You bringing the pie?
Holly..Okay, I have been to both conferances...and have to say the FFL conferances are AWESOME, can be a little overwhelming but that's why they do the first timers thing....and then you have the regionals which are much smaller...but they generally focus on one subject....
Is the FFL sold out this year? I thought I read in the forum the hotel is sold out? I keep watching air fares...
Yep...Laura
Laura..i was one of those who is scared of change...believe me i mentioned it to Mike or someone...about the change..but I also TRUST both you and Jeff
Can I address any other questions?
Wendy -- thank you for the confidence.
The HOTEL is sold out, not the conference. We have overflow housing at the Residence Inn down the street, and the info to make reservations is right there on the conference home page: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/activities/orlando2008/ You should make reservations soon, though. The overflow housing is getting close to full. Then we will work on Overflow Housing #2.
And we will run shuttles between any overflow housing and the convention center at the Renaissance Orlando Resort. We have 100 rooms at the Residence Inn - so you won't be there alone!
How far from the conference location is the overflow hotel?
Laura- Wow! We are a first time family attending and I have to say the number of people is as exciting as it is intimidating!! Don't worry though, it certainly wont change our plans.
Thanks Laura. And thanks Jeff for this site. We're new and loving it here.
Will Dr. Moritsugu be coming to speak again? He's such a good speaker.
The Residence Inn is 1/2 mile from the Renaissance. You can't walk it, though. No sidewalk and lots of traffic. Also, I would suggest to people in overflow housing that they keep checking back with the Renaissance. People do cancel!
Ken Moritsugu will be joining us for Friends for Life 2008
I agree with you Brenda - will CWD be collaborating with his Institute on projects?
And ... by the way ... Ken is my boss.
No - Brenda is!!!
Dr. Moritsugu - the former Acting U.S. Surgeon General - will be at the conference this year. So will many of our other very favorite speakers! Check out the home page - a lot of the Special Guests are featured on the right side.
Rita, the JJDI's focus is on professional education while CWD's focus is on the family. We all do our part to make a difference.
Rita -- yes, I know, Brenda will always be the real boss.
but seriously - that is great for you Jeff - I think it is a great combination - so often Colleen will tell me you don't understand you don't have d. so now there is the parent and the person with d talking in the same place.
Jeff-Is there any focus on educating the general public, it seems there is a lot of ignorance regarding D, and the media often does not help the matter.
I think CWD can help with professional education - think of all the posts from parents -- I remember taking repsonses from the list to my endo to "teach" him
oh TJ I love that idea...like a CWD for people without D...just an educational site about Diabetes
Rita - It will be interesting to see... as our kids grow and become young adults... and we still (as parents) want to learn more. That almost begs a different kind of session, doesn't it? We are still parents of kids with diabetes... but our kids are adults themselves!
TJIrvin -- for now, we're focusing on making a difference in the lives of families.
Laura - you are right - I find the college list interesting and comforting and Col is only a freshman in High School... the preparing and letting go as you have written about with Sam
I'm not on the college list. I didn't even know it existed.
Hello, getting in late...we just stayed at the Residence Inn last week and it was great! Really nice staff and close to sea world
And even though he is in college - I STILL want to learn all the new stuff. He does, too... it is his diabetes...and he makes the choices... but I want to learn and stay on top of things.
Marissa has told us several times that the instructors at the Nursing School are not up to date and giving out wrong information.
Brenda - maybe that isn't the official title? Teens?? not sure........ and btw does this mean Jeff gets an office out of the house??????
Lynette - That's great to hear. Thank you for sharing. I've heard from several people that it is one of the nicest Residence Inns in the country. Their staff are really looking forward to hosting our group!
I'm still sitting in the basement with a space heater running...
Brenda - I think I remember that Sharon would talk to interns - "the real story"
I am in the basement too but NO heat
lol my basement it a construction place
I have an office in the garage, so we affectionately refer to it as the "Groffice"
Laura, we also went to Universal and "Ellen" was taping her show....she had the Jonas Bros on...have you been in contact with them?
Jeff - the education for children with diabetes and the research foundation - they are separate from CWD?
Rita -- the ECWDF and the CWD Foundation remain independent.
The Jonas Bros. are in CT, then here in Cincinnati (of course, we'll be in Orlando) during FFL.
I saw that episode of Ellen with the Jonas Brothers. Was that you running up on stage???
We've invited them, however my understanding is that they have an entirely booked summer.
And it's worth noting that the CWD Foundation was a significant shareholder in Diabetes123 (CWD's previous parent company) and will be receiving a considerable amount of money from the sale.
Jeff - that's great for the foundation
Hiya Jeff
Rita
Laura
and wjhoever else is in here
Hello
Hi all...
whoever*
I was not on stage Haha...my boys were bored to stand there for all of it but the girls were crazy for those guys!
Good evening Chris.
Hello Chris
Just wanted to add my congratulations Jeff, to you and the rest of the team...
Brenda that is always the way it works isn't it
J. Bros. also in Indy and Hershey during FFL. Busy guys.
Thanks Chris.
I have really gotten so much from this site in terms of support and information ever since my daughter was dx...and I have tried to give back as well...
Thanks, Chris. We're excited.
Hello...
HI Connie
Chris - I remember 10 years ago when Sam was dx'd. We got home from the hospital, and I got online on CWD (our CDE had given me a card). I sent a message to the Friends list (I didn't know about the parents email list). Within 10 minutes, a handful of people had written to me. And within the hour, probably 25 had written to me. The message was so comforting: You are going to be ok. It's exactly what I needed to hear. I eventually met some of those same people face to face!
If there are no more questions, I'm going to call it a night. As always, you can reach me at jeffh@childrenwithdiabetes.com
Hey Connie!
I have to say..I actually got an e-mail from a friend from this site asking me to write a recommendation for her...so this site does make friendships...i felt honored..to recommend this person
Night Jeff...take care
I'll hang out for a bit for. Thanks for organizing this chat tonight, Jeff. Everyone remember that tomorrow night is the Friends for Life conferences chat! Same time, same place!
Wendy, that is so cool!
I'm late as usual, just got home from work! Still have to make supper
Just back and now it is over
I had a similar experience Laura...
hi Connie...
We're still here!
What I find amazing (and it brings tears to my eyes at every single conference) is the kids. Watching them reach out to other kids.
Hello Everybody
I've met people from this website too! back in 2000, 3 years after I started chatting
And more recently in Seattle
Rita - I remember Colleen standing on a stool to give a speech at our first conference! Talking about the Traveling Rufi!
sweek brother broght cake home i brb i see if mom let me have sone later
Hey Jeff-i know its out of the blue, but could i put your e-mail on my contacts list?
So, Connie, can you cook us all supper? We've been working in the basement... some of us without heat...
sorry - doing laundry ---- She has that picture framed in her room...
i promise i wont send spam!
We still have the Rufi that went on the space shuttle and there's a box of journals from the other Rufi. Not sure what Jeff plans to do with them. We won't get rid of them!
meeting people who have 'saved' your sanity online is one of the most exciting parts of the conference. Walking into a room where everyone is bolusing, testing and even measuring out the food makes you feel so less isolated. That is what I remember from our first conference.
brrrrrrrr, Laura, you better like butter chicken and green vegies
and chocolate...
Riley - I believe Jeff is off the chat. Please ask him privately before adding him to a list. Thanks.
that is what is so great about the increased number of conferences that you will be able to have with this new venture
Stacey...tell Jesse if he moves to the farm he could get his license net week...
you are right Pam - not too mention being able to call Colorado at midnight to figure out what to do when it is 2 am in NY!
no cake for me
Actually my youngest niece just got her driver's license yesterday..but been driving for a year..on her farmer's license
Pam - I remember you with tears streaming down your cheeks at that conference...
and when jess is having a bad night, I call pam in california.. 2 am NY is only 11pm there...lol..
remeber when Jesse was little...lol..
Jesse was never little.
Stacey- Jesse was never little
Laura, I am going to sign off for now....I am looking forward to the next conference in Chicago!
Brenda...i was going to say that...
It makes my head spin! I'm very excited about increasing the conferences. Hoping to double the # in 2009 and 2010 - stay tuned! Working on it now.
Allison in L A andI have spent 2 summer vactions together, 1 at her place, 1 at ours!
M GO BLUE!!!!!
when is the conference in Chicago?
he was .. i swear
i remember that oh so well. I remember sitting in the sun in Pasadena with Jeff telling me that it was ok to correct when your child is 275 and feels terrible
Lynette - Please email me if you'd like to meet sometime. Novi is not that far. Or we could meet somewhere in between! My email is laura.billetdeaux@childrenwithdiabetes.com
when he was a baby?
Thanks for coming to Seattle, it was so nice to have you here and see all the first timer ribbons.
i have pictures.. he was the same size as Marissa at our first conference..
Laura - will FFL still be in FL???
Next year - April. http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/activities/
Chicago April 24-26, 2009
Laura, If we come thru A2 I will send you an email!
excellent, i won't have to travel
A2 must be "Michiganese."
jesse's already making plans for Bethesda with the teens.. I have to register soon, I guess....
YES! FFL is booked in Orlando through 2015. Seriously. We are also seriously considering a FFL in Europe. Stay tuned on that - working on it.
I have a nostalgic photo of --a then 3-year-old Ben -- at the 2002 Pasadena conference in the arms of a costume insulin pen. He was obsessed with that pen!
Chris, we'll all come to your house for dinner. Can you cook?
oh darn thanks for reminding me Stacey....
And one of my very favorite photos is Ben dancing with Princess Clare!
2015- talk about planning ahead - Col will be in college...
I should book and register for that one soon
It would be amazing to have a CWD event on every continent...
Kathryn and her friend were also obessessed with him--the NovoNordisk guy. They were 12 and just discovering the opposite sex.
i have pictures of Jesse, Ashley and Sarah... from every coference we've been too.. Its amazing how they've changed
I'll work on that tonight, Colleen!
Brenda - Timmy is the 1 that gets me 7 years later........
he's a teen... amazing..
oops - is it Tim now? He is so grown up!
He was so cute as a short haired blond child. Now, at 13, his hair is too long (don't get me going on this argument) and he's mouthy.
We've never called him Timmy, but he doesn't get upset when others do. It's a normal nickname.
Isn't that a male thing Brenda, I work with 10 of them and they're all that way(mouthy)
And Rita, somewhere I saw that he had his first slow dance at the Conf. last year.
actually Laura that would be fun.....I think my house could accomidate a bunch of people...now me cooking on the other hand...
All 300 of us? I want your house!
careful Connie...there is a male in the room...
I think I'm going to call it a night, too. I have a few quick chores to do before bed. See some of you tomorrow at the FFL chat.
LOL..i said a bunch..not 300...
better go make supper or Allan is going to get cranky! Night
G'night Brenda! Chores? At 10:00?
take care Connie....
good night Brenda
I'm going to say g'night, too. Hope to see you tomorrow night in the FFL chat room! Thanks for joining us tonight!
bye night
take care Laura...
goodnight from CA, still light out and I have lots of chores to do!
Thanks Laura, good night!
I am heading over to the Parents room....
i fo back to teens now i guese
Just got here but what Conference is in Chicago
Hello, Have a quick ?. My son went low this afternoon 37, Now he is sleeping blood sugar 270. Should I treat the low or just watch it. Usally I would treat it but since he went really low today it scares me.
Sorry, I meant to post in parents room
On no I have missed it all -that is what I get for being on CA time!
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