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💙 How November Became Diabetes Awareness Month
Every November, you might notice more people wearing blue ribbons, posting blue circle emojis 💙, or sharing stories about diabetes. That’s because November is Diabetes Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness, celebrate progress, and remind the world how many lives are affected by this chronic condition every single day. But have you ever wondered why November? Or how this global movement began? Here’s the story behind it. 🧬 The Discovery That Changed Everything The root
2 min read


CURE FOR DIABETES? Life After an Islet Cell Transplant — A Conversation with Robin Rybolt
Presented by DirectDiabetes.com What if you could live life without insulin after years of managing Type 1 diabetes? In this powerful new episode of the Direct Diabetes Vodcast, host Madi Cheever, MPH, RD, LDN, CHES sits down with Robin Rybolt, a mother of five whose story redefines what’s possible in diabetes care. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in her early twenties, Robin shares her emotional and physical journey through decades of blood sugar management, technology depend
2 min read


Phoenix Children’s Named “Best Children’s Hospital” 15-Years Running
For the 15th straight year, Phoenix Children’s has earned a spot on the prestigious rankings of U.S. News & World Report. Phoenix Children's Hospital was also ranked the No. 1 children’s hospital in the state, and secured a top-four position in the Southwest region. What this ranking meansThe U.S. News evaluation covers nearly 200 children’s hospitals across the country and is based on a variety of measures, including clinical expertise, patient outcomes, and peer reputation.
2 min read


Donate Blood, Get a Free A1C Test — and Take Control of Your Health
This November, in honor of Diabetes Awareness Month 2025, the American Red Cross is inviting donors to do something extraordinary: save a life and learn more about their own health at the same time. Throughout the month, blood donors will receive a free A1C screening, a quick, non-invasive test that measures average blood sugar levels over the past three months. According to the Red Cross, past testing revealed that about one in five donors had A1C levels in the prediabetic o
3 min read


🩺 Ultrasound Screening: A Promising New Way to Detect Diabetes Risk Early?
University of Michigan researchers explore ultrasound as non-invasive tool to detect diabetes risk Researchers at the University of Michigan are exploring a groundbreaking way to detect diabetes risk — using ultrasound imaging to identify muscle changes that occur before blood sugar levels even begin to rise. Their findings, published this week, could mark a major step forward in non-invasive early detection of insulin resistance and prediabetes. Why It MattersNearly half of
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Direct Diabetes Podcast: Simplifying Life With Diabetes - Featuring Diabetes Health Coach Ken
Managing diabetes can feel like a full-time job — from counting carbs to balancing exercise and mental health. In our newest episode of the Direct Diabetes Podcast, host Madi Cheever, MPH, RD, LDN, CHES, sits down with Coach Ken, a diabetes health and fitness coach who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes right after college. Together, they unpack what it really means to “simplify diabetes.” 💡 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeIn this powerful and inspiring conversation, Madi a
2 min read


California to Offer Insulin Pens for Just $11: What It Means for People with Diabetes
Beginning January 1, 2026, California will dramatically lower the cost of long-acting insulin pens for people with diabetes. Under a new initiative announced by the state government, insulin pens will be priced at only $11 each, or $55 for a five-pack, under the state-branded program. thehealthy.com+2CalMatters+2 According to the report, approximately 3.5 million Californians with diabetes stand to benefit from this change. The pens will be interchangeable with glargine (the
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Researchers Say They've Discovered a Rare Genetic Form of Diabetes in Newborns
A groundbreaking discovery is shedding new light on diabetes that develops in babies. Scientists have identified a rare genetic form of diabetes caused by a mutation in a gene known as TMEM167A, which can lead to the onset of diabetes in infants younger than six months. According to the report, researchers found that these babies often developed diabetes extremely early in life — long before typical type 1 or type 2 diabetes would appear — and that some also experienced neuro
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Lance Bass Opens Up About His Diabetes Journey
Pop star Lance Bass is making headlines for opening up about his personal experience with diabetes. In an interview covered by CNN, Bass revealed that he’s been living with diabetes and learning to manage it more effectively after receiving a more accurate diagnosis. According to CNN, Bass was initially told he had Type 2 diabetes, but further testing revealed that his condition was actually adult-onset autoimmune diabetes — often called LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Ad
2 min read


🫒 Scientists Found a Smarter Mediterranean Diet That Cuts Type 2 Diabetes Risk by 31%
A groundbreaking six-year study found that a calorie-reduced Mediterranean diet combined with exercise and lifestyle counseling lowered type 2 diabetes risk by 31%. Discover how to follow this smarter Mediterranean plan for better blood sugar control. 🧠 The Smarter Mediterranean Diet: A Major Step Forward in Diabetes Prevention The Mediterranean diet has long been praised for protecting heart health and promoting longevity. But now, scientists have made it even smarter. A ne
3 min read


The Hidden Skin Warning Sign of High Blood Sugar You Shouldn’t Ignore
Acanthosis Nigricans in armpit. Courtesy: Wikipedia Acanthosis Nigricans in armpit. Courtesy: WikipediaWhen we think of diabetes, we often focus on the classic symptoms — excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue. But did you know that one of the earliest red flags for high blood sugar may actually appear on your skin? Recently, doctors have raised awareness about a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans — dark, velvety patches of skin — that may indicate persistently
4 min read


Breakthrough Discovery Could Transform Type 1 Diabetes Prevention and Treatment
Every cell type within the pancreas contributes to keeping blood sugar levels balanced. The insulin-producing beta cells (shown in green) connect with surrounding blood vessels and membranes (yellow) to release insulin into circulation. Now, researchers at Scripps Research have uncovered a new cell type—called vascular-associated fibroblastic cells (red)—that helps guide the immune system and plays a protective role against autoimmune attacks. Credit: Scripps Research Every c
2 min read


Convenient and Reliable Diabetes Supply Delivery Services
Managing diabetes requires consistent access to essential supplies. For many, the convenience of having these items delivered directly to their door is a game-changer. Diabetes delivery services have become increasingly popular, offering a reliable way to maintain health without the hassle of frequent pharmacy visits. This article explores the benefits, options, and practical tips for using diabetes delivery services effectively. The Rise of Diabetes Delivery Services Diabete
4 min read


Scientists Discover Pancreas Has Its Own GLP-1 “Backup System”
Published: September 28, 2025Source: Diabetes.co.uk — “Scientists discover pancreas can make its own GLP-1” (Diabetes.co.uk) 🔍 Introduction: A New Twist in Diabetes ResearchA striking new finding has emerged from diabetes research: under certain conditions, the pancreas itself can produce GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a hormone more commonly associated with the gut. This “internal backup plan” could change how we view glucose regulation and open doors to novel treatments
3 min read


Managing Diabetes During Menopause: What You Need to Know
Menopause is already a time of change, but when combined with managing diabetes, that transition can bring unexpected challenges. In this article, we’ll walk through how menopause affects blood sugar control, key risks to watch for, and actionable steps to stay healthy through the transition. (Based partly on Mayo Clinic’s guide to Managing Diabetes During Menopause) (Mayo Clinic) Why Menopause Affects Blood SugarAs women approach menopause, the ovaries gradually reduce produ
3 min read


How to Lower Inflammation When You Have Diabetes: 6 Dietitian-Backed Strategies
Learn 6 evidence-based ways to lower inflammation and improve blood sugar control when living with diabetes. Diet, exercise, sleep and more backed by research. Why Inflammation Matters for DiabetesChronic inflammation is more than just pain or swelling — for people living with diabetes, it can worsen insulin resistance and elevate blood sugar levels. As one nutrition expert explains: “Chronic inflammation plays a major role in type 2 diabetes by making the body less sensitive
4 min read


Dr. Amir Harari on Diabetes Technology, Burnout & Hope for the Future
In this episode of the Direct Diabetes Podcast, host Madi Cheever of TypeOneTypeFun.com talks with Dr. Amir Harari, an endocrinologist with more than 20 years of military service, about how his background shapes the way he treats diabetes today. 🌎 From Navy Missions to EndocrinologyDr. Harari reflects on his global missions, from the Philippines to the Marshall Islands, where he and his team performed life-changing surgeries, built infrastructure, and provided critical medic
2 min read


NSYNC Singer, Lance Bass, Opens Up About His Diabetes Journey
Instagram: @lancebass Instagram: @lancebass Most of us know Lance Bass as a pop icon from his *NSYNC days, but recently he’s been making headlines for something much more personal — his health. The 46-year-old singer revealed that he’s been living with diabetes and is now experimenting with stem cell therapies in hopes of improving his long-term outlook. At first, Bass was told he had type 2 diabetes. But as time went on, doctors discovered his condition actually looks more l
2 min read


Mayo Clinic researchers find ‘sugar coating’ cells can protect those typically destroyed in type 1 diabetes
An immunofluorescence microscopy image shows a cluster of insulin-producing beta cells (green) under attack by immune cells (dense cluster of blue dots) in a preclinical model of type 1 diabetes. An immunofluorescence microscopy image shows a cluster of insulin-producing beta cells (green) under attack by immune cells (dense cluster of blue dots) in a preclinical model of type 1 diabetes. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered something pretty fascinating: a trick that ca
2 min read


Have You Heard of Type 1.5 Diabetes?
Most people are familiar with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, but there’s another form you might not have heard about — and it’s often overlooked. It’s called Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults, or LADA. Some experts call it “Type 1.5” because it sits somewhere between the two better-known types. Like Type 1, it’s an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. But unlike classic Type 1, which usually shows up quickly
2 min read
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