Naturally Sweet Sisters

07/10/2026

As a long time volunteer with the Type 1 Diabetes Exchange, I’m happy to share some trusted family created resources that support healthy living for all ages.

Each resource is fully customizable so that information can be shared with individualized needs. I’ve linked one example to help showcase some of the information that is available. There are many to choose from to help ensure wellness and safety are prioritized.

Click below to find additional resources…

https://t1dx-qi.t1dexchange.org/committees/people-with-diabetes-advisory

07/10/2026

Action Alert!! 💙💙💙

If you have a moment - write your members of Congress to share how important affordable insulin is!

https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/DIABETES/campaigns/137121/respond

No one should have to choose between insulin and life’s other necessities. The bipartisan INSULIN Act would help improve access and limit out-of-pocket insulin costs to $35 per month for people with private or employer-sponsored...

13/09/2026

From Blue Branch Advocacy and Counseling:

We are excited to announce that Blue Branch Advocacy and Counseling is offering 2026-2027 support groups for T1D adolescents and parents! Below are the details for these groups, and a printable flyer is attached for distribution, along with our general flyer. Please feel free to share widely!

Please remember that we offer individual and family psychotherapy, as well as school advocacy, especially now that the new school year is in gear. As always, thank you for all you do!
Group Details:

When: 8 sessions, once per month, 60 minutes each
T1D Parent - 1st Monday of the Month
First session Monday, October 5th,12:00-1:00pm.
T1D Adolescent - (Ages 11-17) 2nd Tuesday of the Month
First Session: Tuesday, October 13th, 6:30-7:30p.m.
Where: Virtual
Cost: $25 per person, per session. Please reach out if cost is an issue
Led by: Brittany Carey LMSW and Jacinta Florek LMSW, MPH, licensed clinical social workers with expertise in pediatric diabetes support

These professionally facilitated groups offer a welcoming and supportive space where MI youth and parents can:

Connect with others who truly understand what it’s like to live with T1D
Share experiences and challenges in a judgment-free setting
Learn tools for coping with stress, diabetes burnout, and social situations
Build confidence and community through fun, structured activities

This is an open group, so new members are welcome to join at any point during the 8-week cycle (space is limited to 10 participants per meeting). Attend one, or attend them all, we are glad to have you!

Interested in joining?
Please email Jacinta Florek at [email protected] and provide your and your child’s (legal) first and last name, date of birth, phone number, and email address. Please let us know which group(s) you are interested in attending. An invitation to register will follow.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. We look forward to continuing to help T1D youth and families find connection, support, and strength together. See you soon!

Warmly, Brittany Carey, LMSW and Jacinta Florek LMSW, MPH

Blue Branch Advocacy & Counseling

07/08/2026

For our families newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, we now have the exciting option to use tzield. Earlier this week, I shared (see post below) information to join a wonderful study to learn about delaying onset.

For any family living with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes of type 2, our state of Michigan has created new videos that briefly explain what prediabetes is and why it is important to take two immediate next steps:
1) take the 1-minute prediabetes risk test 2) find a Michigan-based Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) near you.

Video links: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/chronicdiseases/diabetes/people-with-prediabetes

Your health is everything and these tools are a great resource to support that journey!

Diabetes

03/08/2026

Sharing a new-onset study for type 1 diabetes through Michigan Medicine. This study is called the Beta Preserve Study and aims to understand if Teplizumab can work better than a placebo in helping people keep their blood sugar in healthy range. As a mom and an advocate, I am delighted to share this study to help as many families as I can with finding their best health.

A few extra notes:

- There is funding for transportation so even if someone lives a distance away, the study can probably make it work, potentially even with overnight accommodations during the infusions.

- This is great for brand-new diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in stage 2 and stage 3, and the sooner you can, it is important to reach out to inquire about joining the study if interested. You do not need to know if you qualify as the study team will help to figure it out.

-Contact Aimee or Jeannie at [email protected] or by calling 734-615-4079.

Please share this to anyone interested.

11/07/2026

If you can help, the community needs your support to ensure affordable is available for anyone in need. Please sign the petition to help support the .

❤️❤️

No one should risk their life because they cannot afford insulin. Access to lifesaving medication is not a privilege, it is a necessity. Choose to support affordable insulin and take action today at diabetes.org/InsulinAct.

10/07/2026

Our family has been enjoying a restful summer. It’s been a welcome respite during a gap year for one daughter and the calm before the final year of grad school for the other daughter. This special period of time has provided space for lazy mornings, long afternoon walks and lots of meaningful ‘mom’ conversations. Since my own grandmother and mother have passed, I especially treasure each of these mother-daughter moments. A few of our talks have reflected on the early days of T1d. My daughters are now at an age where they fully understand the implication of a new diagnosis on a family. They have incredible introspection which has helped me to better process some of the early and very emotional days. We talk not just about the hard T1d things, but also the beauty of our unconditional love and tight bond. Somethings shared are hilarious and some are so ridiculous that we have thought about sending scripts to Saturday Night Live. All together, it’s been neat to look back on the past (almost) 20 years. Most importantly, I am so grateful that we stayed rooted in our family phrase of ‘kids first, diabetes second’. My girls have made it clear that this single mindset gave them the belief that they could always achieve their goals. Even during the most challenging moments, they both explained that this thought kept them focused with the belief that they were more than a diagnosis. They were (and are) capable, strong and powerful.

For all the parents out there, this is my big advice to share to you… kids first, diabetes second. Repeat it often and point it out when they reach their goals. One day, they are going to tell you how much it helped. ❤️

08/07/2026

From the Facebook memory archives: a
2011 snapshot with an early model Dexcom ‘Seven Plus’ continuous glucose monitor (black receiver shaped like an 🥚egg). Although requiring calibration with finger pokes, it provided blood sugar readings every five minutes, which for active families, was a huge safety advantage. Since then, Dexcom has launched many new variations of CGM with advancements in size, technology and comfort.

Crazy to think that was 15 years ago…Does anyone remember this?

03/07/2026

It’s been a while since we talked about rescue glucose. What’s your favorite way to treat low blood sugars in the summer?

My own mom thoughts here…
We recently rediscovered gummy bears. For a while, they were not a contender as the girls didn’t like the taste or the texture of some brands. This brand, Black Forest USA is particularly yummy - organic, natural dyes and flavors, gluten free - and contains a perfect 17 carbs to treat. The girls like them because in the hot Michigan summer, they hold up to heat and humidity on runs, golf courses and summer fun - even waterproof on swim days. I like them because it is easy Amazon ordering with 65 pouches to share across two daughters and anyone that might also need or like to enjoy them. I know it’s glucose to us but in the T1d world, shareable with friends is always better ❤️

I can’t wait to hear what you are using for lows. After almost two 20 years post dx, having the right tools (and ready to go) helps us stay focused on what matters…. Right now it’s an easy-peasy and relaxing summer during the gap year - and bonus time for me as mom. ❤️

Share your tips below!

16/06/2026

Exciting! Thank you U.S. Food and Drug Administration!

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-indication-tzield-teplizumab-certain-pediatric-patients-recently-diagnosed-stage-3

On June 12, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to Tzield (teplizumab) for a new indication, to delay the decline of insulin production in pediatric patients ages 8 through 17 years who have been recently diagnosed with Stage 3 type 1 diabetes (T1D).