Resources For People With Diabetes

55 Community, Non-profit & Online Resources For People With Diabetes

One of the chronic ailments that is most overwhelmingly affecting the US population today is diabetes. A CDC report that was released in 2017 found that 30.3 million Americans — nearly 10 percent of the population — has diabetes, while another 84.1 million people have prediabetes, a condition that can turn into Type 2 diabetes if not treated. With so much of the population sharing this experience, it’s crucial that everyone is able to find community resources for people with diabetes.

Luckily, there are plenty of such resources both online and IRL. From blogs filled with recipe ideas for people with diabetes to support groups where people with diabetes can share their struggles to camps and retreats for people with diabetes, there are tons of ways that people living with this chronic condition can find support and community. Living with diabetes may have its ups and downs, but building a support network and learning more about how to live healthfully with diabetes can help you to thrive.

That why we’ve put together this ultimate guide to community resources for people with diabetes which contains over 50 resources you can check out today. Here’s what you’ll get in this guide:

  • 32 online blogs, support groups, and community forums for people with diabetes
  • 16 camps and meetup groups for people with diabetes
  • 7 nonprofits by and for people with diabetes

Online Blogs and Communities for People with Diabetes

These blogs and online forums can help you find support without even leaving the comfort of your home:

  • American Diabetes Association (ADA) Support Community. The ADA offers an online discussion forum where anyone who is impacted by diabetes can ask and answer questions. When you sign up for an account, you’ll also be able to receive direct messages from other users.
  • ASweetLife. This online magazine offers lifestyle advice, reviews of products and technology for folks with diabetes, information on the latest scientific updates and breakthroughs in the field of diabetes, recipes, and food and nutrition advice.
  • Beyond Type 1. Beyond Type 1 leverages the power of technology and social media to connect people with Type 1 diabetes through both online resources and events across the US. Their website features useful resources, stories from folks who have Type 1, and programming that includes races, a pen pal program for kids and teens, a diabetes babysitting service, ideas for educating classmates, and college scholarships.
  • Carenity. Carenity is a free global social network with over 130,000 members living with Type 2 diabetes. Their platform enables you to share your experiences with other people, learn more about living with Type 2 through informative articles, and take surveys to help improve your everyday experience with diabetes.
  • Children With Diabetes (CWD). CWD is an online community for kids and families of kids living with diabetes. Their website contains a bunch of useful information specific to children with diabetes, plus their community forums are a great place to meet and connect with other families navigating life with diabetes.
  • Dash Diabetes Network. This site was created by celebrity director, hip-hop mogul, and entrepreneur Damon Dash who has Type 1 diabetes. They create 20-minute informative episodes on topics related to diabetes featuring artists, musicians, filmmakers, actors, holistic doctors, and everyday people sharing their experiences.
  • Diabetes Community Forum App. This app from DiabetesCommunity.com connects you with an international community of people with diabetes. Through the app you can ask and answer questions, searching by category, diabetes type, and keyword to easily find the topics you’re interested in.
  • Diabetes Connections. Stacey Simms, a mother of a child with Type 1 diabetes, hosts this weekly podcast which features advocates, authors, speakers, and experts in the diabetes field. The podcast speaks to diabetes concerns generally, but has a focus on Type 1.
  • Diabetes.co.uk. This website has tons of useful information on living with Type 1, Type 2, and prediabetes, plus they host a massive global diabetes forum with over 280,000 members and counting. You can ask and answer questions about life with diabetes either through your online browser or on their smartphone app which you can find here.
  • Diabetes Daily. Diabetes Daily is both an online magazine and a community forum for folks with diabetes. You can find diabetes-friendly recipes, general information on living with diabetes, and a message board to connect with other people with diabetes on their website.
  • Diabetes Forecast. Diabetes Forecast is an online and print healthy living magazine specifically for folks impacted by diabetes. Check out their website for food and recipe ideas, tips for living with diabetes, advice on fitness, and information on medication and technology.
  • DiabetesMine. Hosted by Healthline, DiabetesMine is a blog and educational resource featuring personal essays, articles on the latest news in the field of diabetes, reviews of diabetes tech, and comedic pieces.
  • Diabetes Sisters. Diabetes Sisters is both an online and in-person community resource for women with diabetes. They have a blog called SisterTALK where women share their experiences with diabetes. You can also check out their message board to chat with other folks who have diabetes or find one of their local meetups throughout the US.
  • Diabetes Team. This site is a social network for people living with Type 2 diabetes. The website includes useful information on Type 2 diabetes and treatment, a provider directory to help you find a doctor near you, and a social networking platform where you can meet and connect with other people who have Type 2 diabetes.
  • Diabetic Connect. This site is an online community and social network for people who have diabetes. You can join their discussions to ask and answer questions about your experience with diabetes. The site also features recipes, treatment options, general information, and an expert Q&A section to help you better understand diabetes.
  • Diabetic Foodie. Created by Shelby Kinnaird who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1999, this site features tons of delicious recipes for people with diabetes, including those who have special diets such as being vegan or gluten-free. The site also features reviews of medical technology for diabetics.
  • Diabetic Traveler. This site contains articles and information on best practices for traveling while diabetic, from how to keep yourself safe and healthy on a cruise to exercises you can do while traveling to important information you need to take an international or domestic trip including how to bring your medicine and tech through the TSA.
  • diaTribe. diaTribe is an online platform with regularly-updated columns on topics relevant to folks with diabetes. They’ve got specific resources on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the Learning Curve column that aims to help you make sense of diabetes, and articles on the latest tech and science advances in the diabetes field.
  • dLife. Another online blog for folks with diabetes, dLife focuses specifically on the health and nutrition aspects of navigating diabetes including a Diabetes 101 blog and an Expert Q&A section. They place a particular emphasis on living a low-carb lifestyle, offering low-carb recipe ideas.
  • Glu. A project of the T1D exchange, Glu is an online diabetes community where folks with Type 1 diabetes can answer a daily question about their experiences, learn about the latest research on diabetes, get connected with studies to participate in as a person with diabetes, and chat with others who have Type 1 diabetes.
  • Health2Sync. An app to help you manage your glucose levels, Health2Sync can help you take charge of your diabetes while allowing you to enlist friends and family members in your care team. With the Partner Care function, your loved ones can keep tabs on your glucose levels and offer advice and support if you’re struggling.
  • HelpAround. HelpAround began as an app to provide a local safety net for people with diabetes and has since expanded to help folks with other chronic conditions. Through the app, you can monitor your own help and progress, plus you can ask for or share supplies and advice with other people living in your community in the event that you are out of something you need or have a little extra you could share with someone else.
  • JABA. JABA is an online community forum for folks with diabetes which was started by Christopher Reed who has had Type 1 diabetes since 1995. Join JABA to connect with other folks impacted by diabetes.
  • Mango Man Nutrition. If working on your fitness and diet are your thing, Mango Man Nutrition offers 16-week group personal training sessions. The training includes a weekly teleconference with your peers, a 16-lesson online training and diet course, access to recipes, membership in a private Facebook group, and online tools and data sheets.
  • MySugr. MySugr is an app that helps you to manage your diabetes through a gamified interface, making testing your levels and tracking your progress easy and fun. Through their new coaching feature, you can get personalized advice and proactive help from one of their highly trained diabetes counselors.
  • OnTrack Diabetes. OnTrack is a blog with tons of informative articles on living with Type 1, Type 2, and prediabetes. They’ve got recipes, lifestyle advice, information on the latest news in the diabetes world, and a regular series of webinars and podcasts where you can here from people living with diabetes and experts.
  • Siren Blog. Siren is a company that sells diabetic socks and foot monitoring systems to help you curb and avoid complications from having diabetes. Their online blog is a great resource with first-person and educational articles on a number of diabetes-related subjects.
  • Sweet Trip. Sweet Trip is a great resource for people with diabetes who want to travel the world. The creator of the site, Laura, creates country-specific guides for traveling to different places around the world as a diabetic. The site also includes a bunch of delicious, diabetic-friendly recipes.
  • The Diabetes Support Group. This group is a national online community where people living with diabetes can connect, share advice, and support one another. Sign up to become a member and you’ll receive a weekly email and be able to comment on their regular blog posts.
  • TuDiabetes. TuDiabetes is an English and Spanish online community and forum for people who are impacted by diabetes. Topics of discussion include mental health, treatment, food, community, and social clubs.
  • Type One Nation. Developed by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Type One Nation is a social network for folks with Type 1 diabetes. Check out their community forum where people have conversations on topics including new diagnoses, coping and support, food, exercise, pregnancy, and finding community.
  • T1 Everyday Magic. This collaboration between Lilly Diabetes and Disney helps to educate parents and children who have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes through activities, games, recipes, articles, and more. Find their events here.

Meetups and Camping Trips for People with Diabetes

If you’re looking to meet with other people with diabetes, whether in the comfort of the indoors or at a camp in the great outdoors, these are some excellent options:

  • ADA In My Community. The In My Community section of the ADA’s page can help you locate an ADA chapter near you if you’d like to get involved or connect with others. Take a look at the Calendar of Events page where you can search for meetups and other events by entering your zip code or state.
  • Beyond Type 1 Slipstreams. Beyond Type 1 now hosts four North American adventure weekends each year where people with Type 1 diabetes can meet, connect with one another, and have a weekend filled with fun outdoor activities.
  • Children With Diabetes (CWD) Conferences. CWD holds several Friends For Life Conferences at locations throughout the US each year. At these events, children, young adults, and families dealing with diabetes can meet and connect with one another while attending informative seminars.
  • ConnecT1D. This organization is a community meetup group and advocacy organization for people with Type 1 diabetes. They host an annual retreat for adults, a middle school retreat and teen meetups throughout the year, and family camps, events, and meetups for families impacted by Type 1 diabetes.
  • Diabetes Canada. If you’re north of the Canadian resident or just living near Canada, Diabetes Canada hosts local events and campaigns throughout the country. Children can attend one of their D-Camps and folks ages 14-29 can join their Youth In Action program to volunteer to educate their communities about diabetes. Find local events here.
  • JDRF Local Chapters. The JDRF is a national organization that has chapters throughout the US. Use their search function to find a chapter in your area and learn about events and volunteer opportunities near you.
  • Meetup.com. Check out the Diabetes topic on Meetup.com to meet with other people with diabetes in your area. The group features nearly 25,000 members and has over 150 active meetups across the world.
  • PODS Meetups. Diabetes Sisters organizes in-person meetups for women over 18 who are living with diabetes. They have active meetups in 19 different states across the US, plus you can fill out an interest form if you’re interested in starting a meetup in your area.
  • Project Power. An ADA-sponsored program, Project Power events are week-long day camps, weekend retreats, or after-school programs that aim to help kids who are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes to develop healthy habits. Find an event near you here.
  • Riding on Insulin. This group exists to connect kids ages 7-17 with Type 1 diabetes through skiing, snowboarding, biking, and other athletic activities. You can find an event near you here.
  • Tour de Cure. The ADA hosts Tour de Cure events throughout the US to raise funds for diabetes research. Participants can run, walk, or ride during the events which typically have varying distances for people of different abilities. Find an event and/or a training group near you here.
  • Type One Run. Another program from Beyond Type 1, Type One Run groups have popped up across the US and the world to connect people with Type 1 diabetes who want to run together. You can find your local chapter here.
  • World Diabetes Day. Each year, people living with diabetes and organizations that advocate for and empower folks with diabetes come together to celebrate World Diabetes Day. In some countries, people may also celebrate November as World Diabetes Month. In 2018, more than 700 events were hosted in 96 countries in honor of WDD. Find an event near you here.
  • World Diabetes Tour. Since 2013, a collective of folks with Type 1 diabetes have been meeting and going on sport and adventure-packed trips across the globe, including an ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro and a hike up to Machu Picchu. Groups are typically quite small, but check their website for updates on the next trip!

Nonprofit Organizations for People with Diabetes

These nonprofits raise money for and awareness about diabetes at chapters across the US. Check them out and find a local chapter near you:

  • American Diabetes Association (ADA). Perhaps the biggest and best-known diabetes nonprofit out there, the ADA has local diabetes education programs throughout the US. Their website is one of the most comprehensive resources on diabetes, including recipes, articles on living with diabetes, and more. Find local events near you on their Calendar of Events.
  • Children’s Diabetes Foundation (CDF). This nonprofit aims to offer education, raise research funds, and help people to access the best care for Type 1 diabetes. They host events and support groups for folks with Type 1, most of which happen near the Barbara Davis Center in Colorado, one of the top treatment facilities in the country.
  • College Diabetes Network (CDN). CDN has chapters across the country to help high school and college students and young professionals navigate life with diabetes. Their Resource Hub is a wealth of information on navigating school and work with diabetes. Find a chapter near you to connect with other members.
  • Diabetes Wellness and Research Foundation. This DC-based nonprofit works to educate folks about diabetes through their online resources and their Diabetes Wellness Network, a community connected through a monthly newsletter and a free helpline for your non-urgent questions about diabetes.
  • JDRF. Although JDRF’s main objective is to fund research for diabetes, they do offer some services to folks with diabetes including one-day educational events at their chapters across the country. They also distribute the Bag of Hope, a bag with educational materials and gifts for children who have been diagnosed with diabetes and their caretakers which you can request here.
  • Students With Diabetes (SWD). SWD is another national organization that connects college students with diabetes. They have chapters at a number of colleges throughout the US and they also host a national conference where students ages 18-30 can meet and connect with other students with diabetes.
  • Take Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD). TCOYD is a national nonprofit that hosts conferences, motivational talks, retreats, and more for people living with diabetes as well as health care professionals who work with folks with diabetes. Their website has a blog with useful tips and recipes for people with diabetes as well as videos of lectures.

As you can probably tell from this guide, there are tons of different community resources available to you if you’re living with diabetes, from social networks to connect you with other people with diabetes to organizations that can help you educate yourself and others about the day to day details of the diabetic life. Take a look at the resources we’ve highlighted here, or use this guide to get inspired to find events, meetups, and other opportunities in your neighborhood.

Source: Dealspotr.com

Diabetes in Children: A Guide for Parents and Families

Learn more about the prevention and treatment of diabetes in children. This comprehensive guide covers the types of diabetes, treatments, symptoms, prevention, management and many other useful resources for parents and families with diabetic children.

Source: Splenda.com

Diabetes Apps To Manage Diabetes Better

There are a number of different mobile health apps specifically designed to help people better manage diabetes. Many of these apps can be used in conjunction with your phone, smartwatch, or other mobile technology to assist and streamline your own treatment and share your personal health data with medical professionals. These apps include:

  • Blood Sugar Logging Apps
  • Medication Reminder Apps
  • Nutrition Apps
  • Fitness Apps
  • Menstruation Apps
  • Anxiety and Stress Apps

Digital Diabetes Management: Apps and Tools for Diabetic Care

Advances in healthcare technology made chronic illness management such as diabetes easier and more convenient.  There are several ways that you can make use of your phone to manage your diabetes. Regardless of what type of diabetes you have, there are a variety of apps and devices specifically designed to track and maintain your diabetes.

Source: Verizon.com

Miscellaneous Diabetes Resources

Your Guide To Diabetes

Source: Drugwatch.com

Living With Diabetes

Source: HelpAdvisor.com

Your Options for Managing Diabetes

Source: MedicareAdvantage.com

Type 2 Diabetes: A Comprehensive Guide To Food

Source: Goodrx.com

Weight Management with Diabetes – A Guide to Weight Loss and Medications

Source: RenewBariatrics.com

Effects of Diabetes on Oral Health

Source: NewMouth.com

How To Use CBD Oil For Neuropathy

Source: Drugscience.org

Internet and Diabetes: A Practical Approach To Self Management

Source: Reviews.com

Financial Assistance Resources For Individuals With Diabetes

Source: FiscalTiger.com

The Ultimate Guide to Drug Discounts

Source: PharmdDegree.com

Other Community Resources

OK Rehab

OK Rehab specializes in addiction treatment which is available via both inpatient and outpatient treatment providers in partnership with over 140 clinics across the UK and abroad. At OK Rehab, their aim is to help individuals break free from the shackles of addiction and find a treatment that’s ideally suited to their needs. This treatment is applicable for drug addiction, alcoholism and behavioral addictions.

Miscellaneous Health Resources

Online MFT Programs

Mental Health Degree and Career Guide

Lung Cancer Group

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