With November being Diabetes Awareness Month, the timing of the Breakthrough T1D Walk feels especially meaningful. It’s a chance to come together, raise awareness, and celebrate the strength and resilience of everyone living with diabetes — including our brave little warrior, Kay.
Moments like these remind me that diabetes doesn’t define what our kids can do. Kay can play, run, and thrive just like any other child — she just does it with a little extra support from Maeve, a few more supplies in tow, and a whole lot of determination. Every step and every milestone reminds me just how capable she is.
For many of us in the diabetes community, this month is about more than blue ribbons and hashtags. It’s about sharing real stories, raising awareness, and honoring the strength it takes to manage diabetes every single day — whether it’s Type 1, Type 2, or another form.
If you’ve ever seen the blue circle symbol, that’s the international sign for diabetes awareness. The color blue was chosen to represent the sky and the United Nations flag, symbolizing unity among people living with diabetes around the world. During November, landmarks across the globe light up blue to honor the diabetes community — a beautiful reminder that we’re all connected in this fight. More than 500 million people worldwide live with some form of diabetes. In the U.S. alone, about 38 million people are affected — and nearly one in five don’t yet know it. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body no longer produces insulin, while Type 2 involves insulin resistance. Managing any type of diabetes requires round-the-clock effort — checking blood sugars, counting carbs, dosing insulin, balancing activity, stress, and sleep — all while continuing to live life as fully as possible.
So why dedicate a whole month to diabetes awareness? Because awareness changes lives. It helps clear up misconceptions — like the idea that diabetes is “caused by sugar” or that all types are the same. It promotes early diagnosis, which can be life-saving. It also brings people together — families, friends, and advocates who remind each other that we’re not alone in this. And for families like ours, it’s a time to celebrate resilience — the strength behind every blood sugar check, every late-night correction, and every small victory.
Insulin was first used to treat a human in 1922, turning what was once a fatal diagnosis into one that can be managed. A century later, tools like insulin pumps, Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), and even Diabetic Alert Dogs like Maeve have transformed care and safety in incredible ways.
Diabetes Awareness Month isn’t just about numbers or technology — it’s about people. It’s about families learning, adapting, and thriving through something that never takes a day off. And above all, it’s about hope — hope for continued progress, better access to care, and someday, a cure.