Aug 25, 2010
Brandy Barnes, MSW, Founder and CEO of DiabetesSisters, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1990. Over the past two decades, she has worked in a variety of positions in the diabetes field, including research, education, advocacy, and sales. She established DiabetesSisters in 2008 based on her personal experience with the unique challenges faced by women with diabetes and the lack of resources available to address them. The mission of DiabetesSisters is to improve the health and quality of life of women with, and those at risk of developing diabetes; and to advocate on their behalf. The organization provides both online and in-person programming. In 2010, the organization held the first national conference for women with diabetes (called the Weekend for Women Conference) in Raleigh, NC in May. The Conference drew women from 21 different states ranging in age from 21-80 with all types of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, type 1.5, and gestational.