Shout out to The Golden Girls: Shows and movies that “get” chronic illness

‘Tis the season for binge-watching — but the media often flops in its portrayal of people with health conditions. So we’ve gathered patient perspectives on Hollywood depictions of illness and who’s gotten it right (thanks, Bea Arthur). When doctors doubted Dorothy A writer for The Mighty who has multiple health condition recently praised The Golden Girls for it’s portrayal… Continue reading Shout out to The Golden Girls: Shows and movies that “get” chronic illness

How many kinds of diabetes are there? Lots. Explore type 1, type 2, LADA and more

Confused about the different types of diabetes? Never heard of other forms of diabetes beyond “1” and “2”? You’re not alone. As American Diabetes Month comes to a close, we’re shedding some light on this topic. Overall, more than 30 million Americans (9.4 percent of the U.S. population) have diabetes. Here’s a guide to help you and… Continue reading How many kinds of diabetes are there? Lots. Explore type 1, type 2, LADA and more

Member Chris finds the uplifting side of type 1 diabetes

“I am the only 7-fingered diabetic record-holding powerlifter and motivational speaker you know!” Chris (ChrisRuden) says in his profile. He was born with two fingers on his left hand and a shorter left arm. He was bullied in high school, and he struggled with depression, alcohol and drug use. Chris was diagnosed with diabetes at… Continue reading Member Chris finds the uplifting side of type 1 diabetes

Christel’s story

Last month, we introduced Christel, a member of your 2015-2016 Team of Advisors living with type 1 diabetes. Here she talks about the important role peer support has played in her journey. Here’s her story:   You can see how much good data can do. During the month of December, we’re celebrating #24DaysofGiving. Any data… Continue reading Christel’s story

PatientsLikeMe Encourages Sharing of Health Data for Good with 2nd Annual “24 Days of Giving”

The Gift of Health Data Can Help Others, and Advance Research CAMBRIDGE, MASS., December 1, 2015—On this #GivingTuesday, PatientsLikeMe is once again celebrating “the new tradition of generosity” by encouraging people to donate something unusual but vital: their health data. Starting today and continuing for #24DaysofGiving, PatientsLikeMe is asking anyone who is living with a… Continue reading PatientsLikeMe Encourages Sharing of Health Data for Good with 2nd Annual “24 Days of Giving”

Meet Christel from the PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors

We wanted to take a minute to introduce you to Christel, one of your 2015-2016 PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors. Christel who was 12 years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, shares openly that she spent a lot of her teens and twenties ignoring its existence. But 32 years later, Christel has made… Continue reading Meet Christel from the PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors

World Diabetes Day: Act today to change tomorrow

Diabetes affects almost 400 million adults[1] around the world and contributes to nearly 5 million annual deaths[2]. November is American Diabetes Month, but on November 14, the entire world joins together to unite their voices against this disease on World Diabetes Day (WDD). It was started back in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).… Continue reading World Diabetes Day: Act today to change tomorrow

PatientsLikeMe Names 2015-2016 Team of Advisors, Sets Focus on Redefining Patient Partnerships

Cambridge, MA, October 19, 2015—PatientsLikeMe has named 14 members to its patient-only 2015–2016 Team of Advisors and challenged them to work through an issue that’s central to everyone in the healthcare system: how to redefine patient partnerships. The team will be focused on rethinking what it means for patients to be partners, and on establishing… Continue reading PatientsLikeMe Names 2015-2016 Team of Advisors, Sets Focus on Redefining Patient Partnerships

“Focus on making small but meaningful changes” – an interview with Amy Campbell

Amy Campbell is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes educator at Good Measures, a company that combines the expertise of dietitians with state-of-the-art technology to help people improve their eating and exercise habits. Before joining Good Measures, Amy worked for almost 20 years at Joslin Diabetes Center, an internationally recognized diabetes treatment, research and education… Continue reading “Focus on making small but meaningful changes” – an interview with Amy Campbell

Are you at risk for diabetes? Take the test

Listen up: if you’re living in the United States, there’s about a 1 in 3 chance you’ll develop diabetes over the course of your lifetime. But there are many ways you can lower your risk, which is why the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has recognized March 24 as Diabetes ALERT! Day. Today is about raising awareness… Continue reading Are you at risk for diabetes? Take the test