Diabetes Jeopardy Answer #13 for D-Month. She said “Let’s Meet” in 1999 and Created the Largest Gathering of D-Families on Earth.

…and the answer is who is Laura Billetdeaux.

In 1999 Laura contacted people online to say that she and her family would be traveling to Florida and if they wanted to meet, they could discuss family dynamic dealing with diabetes.  Laura, who has a son with diabetes, thought that only good could come out of this gathering and sharing together.  She was correct.

She never thought that an incredible 500 people would show up and it would be the dawning of what has become the largest gathering of families with diabetes anywhere on earth.  The Children with Diabetes Friends for Life conference has well north of 3200 people each year where attendees are treated to a buffet of the top professionals in the diabetes world of empowering, managing, and researching for a cure of diabetes.

It has become a family affair with every person in Laura’s family playing a role. people from all across the globe come to the event each year and due to the ‘well-oiled’ organization and planned activity, it is a week they will never forget.

From the CWD website, a little insight about Laura and this amazing program:
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 serve as youth faculty at CWD conferences as time allows.

There are scholarships available to those who need financial assistance; everyone should go to this conference, even just once…..your life will change forever.

For Diabetes Awareness Month:
This month, I will be highlighting someone in the diabetes community.  They may be people you know, or might not know, but they give of themselves to make this world, our world, with diabetes a special place.   I will not get to everyone this month, but it is my hope that perhaps you can be introduced to some of those you may not know.

I’m certainly not the definitive on who should be included….you are.  If you think I should include someone, shoot me an email at tkarlya@drif.org and I will do what I can to include that person as well.  Welcome to diabetes awareness month.

I am a diabetes dad.

Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.