TCOYD in Your Town — Now with More Makeover!

If you have diabetes and have not yet been to a local TCOYD event, boo on you. Seriously, you are missing out!

These day-long conferences, taking place on Saturdays in “smaller venues” around the country (i.e. cities like Albany and Providence, instead of NYC and Boston) are geared at all of us “local people” with diabetes who could use a boost of information and motivation. Who couldn’t use that? Plus, you get free lunch (yes, there is such thing!)

The day usually starts with a hilarious welcome speech by TCOYD founder and director Dr. Steve Edelman, a famous endo and veteran type 1 himself.  There are talks and hands-on sessions about everything from healthy cooking to foot care to the latest info on pumps and CGM systems to meditation and kidney health.

The lunch is always tasty yet light, and accompanied by some fabulous motivational keynote, from D-celebs like Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills, stand-up comedian Bo Irvine, or famous Hawaiin chef Sam Choy. There are “Roving Diabetes Educators” running around wearing ribbons that read, “Ask ME! I’m an Educator,” so all you have to do is tap one on the shoulder to get the answers you’ve been looking for.

There’s an expo floor where you can see all the latest D-products and devices, and ask questions directly of the company reps.

As if that all weren’t tempting enough, the theme of TCOYD’s 2011 programs is “Your Diabetes Makeover,” highlighting the success of the seven participants in their new reality TV series Extreme Diabetes Makeover — who learned to improve their blood sugars, lose weight, eat healthier and take control of their condition.  Dr. Edelman promises to “highlight specific care plans, exercise regimens and dietary modifications” that will help the rest of us achieve the same transformative success.

So you got that I’m a fan. I also happen to be leading a session called “Living with Diabetes Online” at the upcoming TCOYD Conference in Santa Rosa, CA, on Feb. 12. Myself and Meri Schumacher of OurDiabeticLife, and Landileigh Nelson of The Diabetes Resource will be pontificating about the how’s, why’s, and what’s of blogging and connecting within the Diabetes Online Community (D-OC). Anyone in Northern CA: we hope to see you there!

btw, TCOYD events cost just $35 per person for the whole spiel, and financial aid is available for those in need (call 800-998-2693).

The TCOYD line-up for 2011:

Santa Rosa, CA
February 12, 2011
Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa

Honolulu, HI
March 5, 2011
Hawaii Convention Center

Kona, HI
March 6, 2011
King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel

Tucson, AZ
April 2, 2011
Tucson Convention Center

Albuquerque, NM
May 21, 2011
Albuquerque Convention Center

Albany, NY
June 11, 2011
The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center

Latino Conference – Oceanside, CA*
June TBD
Tri-City Medical Center

Latino Conference – San Ysidro, CA*
June TBD
San Ysidro Health Center

Amarillo, TX
September 10, 2011
Amarillo Civic Center

Tampa, FL
October 1, 2011
Tampa Convention Center

San Diego, CA
November 12, 2011
San Diego Convention Center

Latino Conference – Oceanside, CA*
November TBD
Tri-City Medical Center

Native American Conference – Location and date TBD

For more information, visit www.tcoyd.org


* ALSO NOT TO BE MISSED *

- sign up now for these excellent D-events, because spots fill up fast! -

Diabetes Sisters Weekend for Women
April 29-May 1, 2011
Marriott City Center in downtown Raleigh, NC

A unique event offering “educational sessions on gender-specific topics related to diabetes treatment and care (such as pregnancy, body image, concurrent illnesses, nutrition, physical fitness), one-on-one connections with other women living successfully with diabetes, unbiased information on the emergence of new equipment and medications, and learning new tactics for improving mental and physical health.”

$100 registration covers all your food, attendance at 12 educational sessions, and all social activities.


Children with Diabetes Friends for Life 2011

July 5-10, 2011
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Lake Buena Vista, Florida

The premiere event for families of children with diabetes. Now also with special tracks for young adults and adult with type 1 diabetes. From the website: “Join our international group of world-renowned clinicians, researchers, physicians, adults, children, and families with diabetes to learn the most current information in diabetes care. Attend educational sessions and get cutting-edge ideas for your family’s diabetes management. Participate in parent discussion groups and find new, creative ways to help and motivate your children. Watch toddlers and teens, young parents and grandparents, new diabetes professionals and practiced clinicians make new and lifelong friendships. This is a conference you won’t ever forget!” And it’s all true — I’ve been there.

The cost for this one is just $310 per family for five full days of amazing sessions and events, and aid is also available for those in need.

Make 2011 your year to “get out there” to at least one great diabetes event.