Who knows about the A1C Champions, a nationwide diabetes mentoring program sponsored by Sanofi-Aventis?
All I knew until recently was that a group of volunteers from around the country — including the great Riva Greenberg — were being trained to give pep talks to groups of other patients. That’s basically the program in a nutshell, but it’s so much cooler than it sounds!
This program brings passionate advocates (currently about 75 people) from all walks of life together with the PWDs out there “in the trenches” who need a boost the most. The Champions give personalized and highly motivational talks about the importance of good BG control, approaches to effective self-management, and how to lead a more balanced life, among other things.
On Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the A1C Champions’ annual meeting in Las Vegas, to give them a pep talk about the DOC. (Thank you, Diane Spitz for organizing!)
What I encountered was buzzing group of spirited folks like Bob Kolenkow, 
a retired physics professor who simply beams when he talks about his “new life” as a diabetes advocate. (Hint: he was featured in the New York Times not long ago.) I so enjoyed meeting the energetic Kate Lilly! And also Ann Gann, featured here recently. They’re doing everything they can to help others with diabetes in their home states, in the most immediate and personal way.
In short, this is a GREAT program, possibly the most under-hyped and under-appreciated diabetes mentoring program of all time, IMHO. If you’re not involved yet, please think about volunteering. You get free training on public speaking skills, the chance to reach out to amazing PWDs in your area, and loads of personal satisfaction for “giving back.” (I hear they’re especially short on volunteers on the West Coast.)
If you are an A1C Champion and heard my talk, please 
leave a comment below to be entered into the drawing I promised for a free copy of Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes, the absolutely essential book to help PWDs gain an overview of how to manage their health (well, a really helpful book, anyway 
)
So wonderful to meet you all!
I just heard about this on dLife tonight. It does seem like a great program. I just have to get my A1c below 7% and then I would qualify. Still trying to get there…
My name is Seth Bernstein. I have been an A1C Champion for over 5 years. Amy’s talk in Las Vegas was awesome. Thanks Amy, I got a lot out of it. Especially this blog, I am sure it is something I will return to often. Thanks again!
Hi, Amy,
It was great meeting you and we loved hearing about all the great things you’re doing!
Peri, Evan and Tyler Kramer
What an amazing program! Very inspiring!
We had such a great time with YOU on Saturday! Thank you for being there with us and sharing fab information about social media and diabetes. There are so many ways for us to get even more involved and I can’t wait to see what happens.
All the best,
Kate
Hey Amy,
I enjoyed your talk on Saturday. I really like your blog. This will be one of my new favorite sites.
scott
Sounds like a great program, and I’d like to volunteer for it — I’m a retired high-school teacher, so I’m used to talking in front of all kinds of audiences. I’ll follow the link you put up.
Thanks so much for all your diabetes advocacy work, Amy!
Hi Amy,
I’ve been to this site many times….always cool to see the person behind the blog! As an A1C champion, I use the internet as my primary source for information and your site always ‘bubbles’ up first.
Stephan
Hey Amy,
My name is Samantha Irvin and I really enjoyed your presentation on Saturday. I have been an A1C champion for 1 1/2 yrs with my mom. We are a parent child team and I know she really liked what you did on Saturday. I never knew there were so many ways for diabetics to keep in touch on the Web. I am already looking at some of the blogs you talked about including this one! Thanks again
Hi Amy,
Again, thanks for sharing info about the DOC and the main tools of social media with our A1C Champions. I’m a fan of your site and always find the most current d talk right here. Keep up the great work you and your team do for PWD.
Also, a shout out to Allison. Enjoyed being with you in Raleigh.
Amy,
Thank you so very much for your presentation. Your information on living with diabetes and the impact of social media was amazing! My husband can not wait to log in and read all he can on how my diabetes effects those close to us and how they can get help for themselves. He is extremely effected by my diabetes and hope that your blog has some helpful information for him but if not we hope to give you some insite on this topic.
THANK YOU AGAIN!
Do not stop doing what you do! IT IS AMAZING:)
Best, Hélène
Amy -
Amy –
In my recent comment I neglected to write that I too am an A1c Champion since 2005. Currently, I live in Media, PA but spent most of my life in NYC area. During your presentation, a fellow Champion asked you about the hispanic population and what resources are out there for them. Being of hispanic descent, I would like to offer any help I can give if you should do any resource or topics for them.
Many thanks and again thank you,
Hélène Colon-Raphael
Amy,
Thanks so much for Saturday’s presentation. I’ve been an A1c Champion for six years now and, I can tell you that it is a quite rewarding experience when you she audience members that finally “get it”.
Can’t wait to start following your blog.
Roger
Amy as you know I was in Tokyo during the a1c Champion meeting but it’s great so many of my fellow peer-mentors got to meet you and hear about “the mine.”
Yes, there is something amazing about a patient coming up to you after a presentation saying, “I finally get it – it’s up to me to take care of my diabetes!”
Seems so simple to we who are showered with knowledge and resources, but as you said, so many don’t have the same privileges. And, btw, although I didn’t pay you to write the “great Riva Greenberg,” it is nice to read
Amy,
Your presentation on Saturday was outstanding. I have been an A1C Champion since 2008. It is so uplifting to see the response of those after listening to the information which we give them!
Amy,
Nice to meet you in person. It is funny when you are following somebody’s site or blog on line, and then you finally meet that person, .. I appreciate what you do for the diabetes community. Keep “fighting the good fight”
Amy,
Really enjoyed talking with you last Saturday. Thanks for inspiring me to use the many resources on the web so I may continue to keep in touch with people living with diabetes.
Gina
There is so much available with DOC – almost to the point of overwhelming. If only diabetes could free up some time…
Amy,
Great source of information. My daughter and I really enjoyed your talk on Sat. Just catching up at home and I am renewed with all the positive energy and “family feel” being with others affected by diabetes. It is so important to reach out and have a place to go any time any day. Thank you again.
Patti and Kat Wong A1C champions “In whose two shoes”
[...] mom says the whole family’s been active in the Sanofi-sponsored A1C Champions program, and they’ve led interactive family support groups called “Our Diabetes Journey [...]