Diabetes Jeopardy Answer #25 for D-Month: No one has Been a Better, or Longer Tenured Spokesperson for Diabetes, than this Woman who Turned the World On with Her Smile

Mary tYler Moore…..and the answer is, who is Mary Tyler Moore.

We can argue the point whether or not Ms. Moore is the greatest TV and/or Female TV personality of all time; but she stands alone when it comes to spokesperson in the world of diabetes.  I can tell you from meeting her many times and actually spending a few hours with her when she joined me in a ‘an ask’ from a major donor and the announcement that followed when I was with the JDRF; that she was always and in all ways 1000% focused on her mission with the JDF (JDRF) and with diabetes causes (among others).

One must remember that this woman was/is sought after by every form of media and every talk show at any given time.  And when it came to diabetes; the amount of time she gave, when asked, was remarkable.  In many cases when you say diabetes to someone outside the diabetes community, it is not uncommon to hear, “Oh the one that Mary Tyler Moore” is active in.

And how; ‘yes’ she is.

Despite dealing with T1D herself, Ms. Moore threw herself completely into a role that would lift the visibility of diabetes in this world as none other before or since.  From a public face, to presenting high honors, to speaking at events, to leading the charge in Washington D.C. and even being involved with ‘asks’ for money from private donors, Mary Tyler Moore set the bar for celebrity involvement in an organization; and how fortunate are all of us in this diabetes community?

Changing the world with that million dollar smile, was only the beginning.

Below is just a brief segment from Mary’s Bio—click this link to read so much more from her BIO at IMDB
After trying her hand at movies for a few years, Moore decided, a bit reluctantly, to return to TV, but on her terms. The result was “Mary Tyler Moore” (1970), which was produced by MTM Enterprises, a company she had formed with Tinker, and which later went on to produce scores of other television programs. Moore starred as “Mary Richards”, who moves to Minneapolis/St. Paul on the heels of a failed relationship. Mary finds work at the news room of WJM-TV, whose news program is the lowest-rated in the city, and establishes fast friendships with her colleagues and her neighbors. The show was a commercial and critical success and for years was a fixture of CBS television’s unbeatable Saturday night line-up. Moore and Tinker were determined from the start to make the show a cut above the average, and it certainly was – instead of going for a barrage of gags, the humor took longer to develop, and arose out of the interaction between the characters in more realistic situations. It was also one of the earliest TV portrayals of a woman who was happy and successful on her own rather than simply being a man’s wife. “Mary Tyler Moore” (1970) is generally included amongst the finest television programs ever produced in America.

 

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’.

Diabetes Jeopardy Answer #23 for D-Month: Diabetes is NOT Just in the USA…4 Making a Difference Where They Live

Jacqui Double  Jackie Jacombs  
Barb Wagstaff  Wayne Cox……..and the answer is, who are Jacqui Double, Jackie Jacombs, Barb Wagstaff, and Wayne Cox.

The problems of diabetes stretches across the globe and the problems and challenges we fight in the USA  are sometimes even more challenging than we would ever know.  But here is a short glimpse of 4 parents who fight the same fight we know, and make a difference in their country.  They will each tell you that they could never do it alone, yet I know each of them have been on their own at times when it seems darkest; but for their child (and for some it is their children-plural), they continue.  Each do with what they have to change the global face of diabetes.  I could write so much more about each, here is but a quick note what they do.

JACQUI DOUBLEClearly one might think that Jacqui could take a back seat to her incredible husband Oliver who is well-known in the diabetes community for his incredible lectures and his song, Think Like a PancreasTo think that, would be a huge mistake as this powerhouse takes on the British Parliament head-on and she leads the pack in advocacy for better diabetes care in the UK.  I have presented with Jacqui about advocacy and left humbled at her efforts.  She is tireless.  Their two sons have diabetes and you literally become breathless hearing of the outreach of this wonderful couple.

JACKIE JACOMBSthe best description of Jackie is when I was told, “….what she DOES NOT KNOW about type1 can be written on a (postage) stamp.”  THAT is a lot of knowledge but Jackie is not known for keeping this knowledge, she is known for sharing with others who need to know about this new normal called diabetes.  In 2002 she created the childrenwithdiabetesuk.org website where parents and people with diabetes can share and learn together.  She is an incredible advocate in the UK and the number of lives she has helped would be countless.

BARB WAGSTAFF-for some reason anytime I mention Barb, I think of David and Goliath (or Barb and Goliath as the case may be) because Barb has to, and does, take on many of the battles worth fighting in Canada, it seems, almost alone.  Her undeterred, unfailing, and focused mission on the objective of a better life with diabetes; has created one of the fiercest advocates for reform in the world.  She does not hesitate to go-up against a country that needs to do more in treatment and in the schools to help those battling diabetes everyday.  Barb is a force—-and thank God our friends to the north have her in their corner.

WAYNE COXhis FB page, CWD DADS is refreshing and is closed to anyone other than a dad.  You can ask to join and must be accepted.  Here dads can say whatever is on their mind in an atmosphere of trust and friendship.  Diabetes is different from a dads point of view and here on this fabulous FB page; NO DISCUSSION is off the table.  Rarely is a site set up with such strong conviction and goals of trust as this one. 
(Updated: And as I stated, these folks would be the first to tell you that they did not go it alone and this site deserves a special shout out to Si Gumble, Tom Hetherington and Danna Maiden who were, and are, instrumental in the success of this Facebook page.  Good Job Mates.)

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’.