Advocate

My Time as National Youth Advocate

Hey everyone,

This is the last chance that I’ll have to write to you, as my year as National Youth Advocate is officially over. I have had the absolute greatest year of my life, and I am so sad to see it go.

I have accomplished so much in the past year, and I am so honored to have done all the things I have. My work stretched literally from coast to coast, and though it was a lot of work, I have never once regretted any of it. I got the chance to see exciting new cities, meet tons of new people working to Stop Diabetes, ensure that children across the US were Safe at School, spread the contagious yearn to Stop Diabetes, and much, much more.

I honestly don’t think there are enough words in the English language to explain how phenomenal my year has been. I can’t think of a better cause to have devoted my time and energy to, and I know that if we all stay on board and work to Stop Diabetes, our cure will come someday. And soon! Researchers are working with the money we have raised, and they are working to develop a cure right this minute.

All year long, we have worked to find new advocates, and I can trust that they are going to work diligently for the cause. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have played a part in something so huge, so important, and so unstoppable. I’m proud to say that this year, I stood up with my left hand raised and said “I’m Madi Dodge, and I want to Stop Diabetes!”

Passing the Torch

I guess now it’s time for me to pass off the torch. To our new NYA, Logan Gregory, I wish you the very best of luck. Treasure every moment that you spend advocating for the cause. Speak out with all of your might, and most of all, enjoy every minute of it. I hope that you take out of this experience everything that I did and more! You’re going to have the time of your life, and I can’t wait to see all the exciting things you will do!

To the rest of our advocates out there: Never stop fighting. I may not be the NYA anymore, but I will be there, advocating alongside of you. Our cure is coming, but we have to keep working until it’s here. I’m proud of you all!

Spoken by one of my personal heroes, “We can’t stop, and we won’t stop, until we Stop Diabetes!”

Thanks for listening! Happy New Year!

Signing out,

Madi Dodge ♥

November 22, 2011

Hi Everyone,

What will you do to Stop Diabetes?

I wanted to tell you all about an absolutely incredible experience that I had on Monday night! I was invited to be the red carpet correspondent at the Friar’s Club in New York City for a dinner to pay tribute to American broadcasting legend, Larry King!

I travelled to New York and went right to the Sheraton. It was so cool! I got to meet some friends from the Association who I had fun working with on the Larry King interview from a few weeks ago, AND - get this - there was a “groomer” there to do my hair and makeup!!!! At first I was just a bit offended when they told me there would be a groomer… because we take our dog, Blizzard, to the groomer… but once it was explained that is just what they call it in “the business,” I was thrilled!

Actually, I was thrilled the whole time! Masha, the “groomer,” was great at making me look and feel beautiful! I asked her if she could come to Delaware to help me get ready for school every day, and she did not seem thrilled with the prospect, but she was so great!

After I got ready the camera man, Brent, showed me where the red carpet was, and we scoped out all of the logistics. Then, the real fun began! We taped the introduction, and then I took my spot next to the red carpet… nestled in there right next to the cameraman/ reporter from Entertainment Tonight! I felt pretty important and specialJ. Not only did I get to see Larry King, but I even got to see Larry Hausner, CEO of the American Diabetes Association, and I got to meet his beautiful daughter, Nina! I was delighted to spend time with John Griffin, Chair of the Board of the American Diabetes Association!

The stars really were out in New York City! As each star came down the red carpet, I had the opportunity to ask them questions about Larry King, about diabetes, about what they could do to Stop Diabetes, as well as many other questions! I had a blast! I got to speak to Larry King, who has very strong feelings about the need to find a cure for diabetes. He has type 2 diabetes, knows its dangers, and is well aware of how diabetes negatively affects heart health. He describes diabetes as a heart attack about to happen. The work that his Cardiac Foundation is doing to help spread awareness during American Diabetes Month is phenomenal - and so is Larry King!

Some of the other stars I got to interview were Shawn King (Larry’s wife and a great singer); American stand-up comedian, Colin Quinn; financial advisor and television host, Suze Orman; boxing promoter, Don King; journalist and CNN reporter, Wolf Blitzer; news correspondent and author, Katie Couric; actress, comedian and television personality, Kathy Griffith; Landau Murphy, winner of America’s Got Talent; and legendary actress, Joan Rivers! Although I did not get to interview them, I also had the pleasure of seeing Matthew Broderick, Wanda Sykes, Regis Philbin, Judge Judy, Judge Jerry and Donald Trump!

It was great to speak to all of these famous people and to see that everyone, everywhere has some tie to diabetes. Whether they have it themselves, have a relative that is diagnosed, know a friend who is battling it, or know someone who died from the complications… everyone is affected by diabetes. Diabetes is not discriminating…. it affects the young, the old, the rich, the poor, those who are black, white or purple… everyone- even the stars! 

Please click on this link and see this video from the Red Carpet! Please share it with your friends! Let’s get the message out. Let’s Stop Diabetes!

Until Next Time,
Madi

October 31, 2011

Hey everyone,

I hope you all had a great Halloween night! I had fun handing out candy in my neighborhood. I decorated my house with cobwebs, tombstones, my jack-o-lantern, and witch’s cauldrons, and I even played some scary Halloween music! If you’ve still got candy leftover, be sure to only enjoy a small amount at a time, count your carbohydrates carefully and take your insulin. It was very fun, but I’m not writing to tell you about my night. What I really want to tell you about is my adventure last weekend!

North Dakota

On Friday, October 28, I flew out to North Dakota. As soon as I arrived in Grand Forks, I headed over to the local radio station, KNOX, to be interviewed on the radio with the chair of the Step Out Walk, Dr. Eric Johnson. We talked about the Step Out walk and diabetes, and the radio station was generous in giving us ten whole minutes to talk!   Not only was Dr. Johnson incredibly knowledgeable about diabetes, but he was incredibly nice too! 

While there I also got to meet Stephanie from the Association and several interns who work with her. I realized right away that the people of North Dakota are all warm and wonderful!

Minnesota

After that, we headed over to Minnesota for lunch. I got to meet the highest fundraisers for their walk, Colin and his family, as well as many committee members.  It was awesome to bounce ideas for fundraising with Colin and his family (plus, I got to have a wonderful salad)! After lunch, I got to tour the Altru Diabetes Center, where Dr. Johnson is the Assistant Medical Director. I got to meet all the staff, and even a patient! I told Riley all about being the National Youth Advocate, and I strongly encouraged her to get involved, stay involved and to apply to be the National Youth Advocate when she is old enough. I also encouraged Colin to apply in the future! It was really great to meet her and to get to see their work in action. They really have great things going on there. :)

Wellness Center

After my hospital tour, I visited the Wellness Center at University of North Dakota, and Amy took me on a grand tour. She was so inspiring and you could tell that she loves what she does and is great at it!

The center was gorgeous! They had exercise equipment, a rock wall, a dance studio, an 1/8 mile track, a basketball court, a hockey rink, volleyball nets, a pool, and even a room set up like a cooking show to teach healthy food habits! The facility was like nothing I have ever seen before!

Afterwards, I went over to the local WDAZ station to talk again with Dr. Johnson, except on television this time! We spoke with the news anchor, again, about the Step Out event, and I feel it went very well.

Later that night, Dr. Johnson, his son, my mom and I went to a UND Fighting Sioux ice hockey game, and it was really amazing! The stadium was beautiful with its marble inlaid floors and leather seats, and the game was a lot of fun! It was an experience that I will not ever forget!  I was so awed by my time at the University of North Dakota that I am now including it on my list of colleges to consider for my undergraduate degree in communications!

Step Out

The next morning, we got up and headed over to the Step Out! It was being held at the convention center in Grand Forks, and it was an awesome setup. Most of the Step Out events I have attended have been outside, but it was neat to have it inside. They even brought in a couple moon bounces for the kids!

They had both an indoor and outdoor walk; the indoor one being a quarter mile track around the football stadium, and the outdoor, three mile walk being out in a cold, cold park! I chose to walk the indoor track!

Before the walk, I spoke about Safe at School, and then I sang the National Anthem. I lead the group of walkers into the indoor track, and then walked five or six laps around the track with some of my new friends. It was so much fun!

At the end of the walk, I had the privilege of announcing the top fundraisers and teams. There were tons of champions for diabetes (individuals who raised over $1,000)! All in all, the Step Out raised $57,000, and even more if you add in corporate sponsors! That’s the highest per capita walk, and I even got to be part of it! It was so awesome to take part in something so near and dear to my heart, and an event that so greatly helped in the fight to Stop Diabetes!

Never in a million years would I have thought that I could travel to North Dakota and have good weather there, but have to worry about a snowstorm back on the East coast, in October! I was not sure that we would be able to get our flight out of Minnesota and into Philadelphia, but all was well and the flight was only delayed by 45 minutes. :)
 
North Dakota was awesome, and I met so many incredible people…friends I will not forget!

This November, for American Diabetes Month, think about ways you can help Stop Diabetes through advocacy! Remember: together we can Stop Diabetes!

Until next time,
Madi

September 22, 2011

Hey Everyone!

As much as I refuse to believe it, the date proves that my year as the National Youth Advocate is winding down! This means that in a couple months, my term will be up, and another lucky teenager will get the chance to be the NYA! Being NYA is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling possible ways to spend a year!

So…without further ado, may the search begin!

The National Youth Advocate application process involves a series of essay questions that the applicant must answer, a video that outlines the work the applicant is doing, a doctor’s letter proving that the applicant has diabetes, and a letter of recommendation from a friend that can show witness of the applicant’s hard work. It sounds like a difficult process, but truthfully, I found it very enjoyable. It gave me a chance to look back on the work I have done and to plan what more I want to do in the following year.

Truthfully, I will miss the application process now that I can no longer apply! However, I can only hope that if you are a teen with diabetes and a yearning to make a difference through advocacy and public awareness, that you will apply too!

It has been an awesome almost ten months of being the NYA, and I know that next year will be just as awesome for the 2012 NYA!You can complete the application by clicking here to get started!

Until next time,

Madi

August 10

Hey everyone!

Yesterday I got the exciting opportunity to speak on two morning radio shows! But, what’s even more exciting is what I was talking about!

Hitting the Airwaves

I was there with my friend Morgan, who is a youth goodwill ambassador for my area’s Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, who I just happened to have as a camper at Camp Possibilities last month! We talked about diabetes, how it affects our lives, and why Step Out is so important.

Can you guess why? If you were thinking of diabetes research and a cure, you’re right! It was so great to get the opportunity to speak to so many people, and to know that people all around, listening to not one, but TWO radio stations heard our voices and might even join us in the fight against diabetes. It was too cool!

Sign the Hand

On our way home, my mom and I stopped by Subway, and just happened to notice all the Stop Diabetes hands all over the wall. You can buy a hand and sign it for only a dollar, and they’ll put your hand on the wall! My mom and I put our Stop Diabetes hands on the wall with so many others! So, if any of you find yourself in a Subway store, make sure to make your donation to the American Diabetes Association and slap your “Stop Diabetes” hand up on the wall! You can enjoy a great sub (or salad, in my case!) and help Stop Diabetes at the same time!

Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes

Have you joined a Step Out team for your local walk? Or have you started your own team this year? Being involved in Step Out is an awesome way to meet new people, get some exercise, and have fun… as well as an incredible way to raise awareness, advocacy and money to help support the mission of the American Diabetes Association.

We need the help of some other people who share that passion for advocacy and who want to help me spread the word! If you have not already done so, please sign up for Step Out Today! Don't put it off another day! Do it now while you are thinking about it! Once you register for an existing team, or start your own (Or join my team Madison's Prayer as a real OR a virtual walker), then put advocacy messages on your fundraising web page! It is easy! You will raise vital funds, and vital awareness, at the same time!

You can find more information on my personal Step Out page at http://main.diabetes.org/goto/MadiDodge2011. I even added a video to my page. I added photos to a song written by Jim McGowen, called the Stop Diabetes Blues!

You can also sign up for the National Advocates in Action Step Out Team.

Until next time,

Madi

Monday, August 1

Camp Possibilities

Hey Everyone!

Madi at Camp Possibilities

I had a great week at Camp Possibilities! I was a Counselor in Training this year, and I was working with the 8 year olds. They were so much fun, and it was a great learning experience for me.

I have personally lived with diabetes for 10 years, but it was a completely different experience being in charge of other kids living with diabetes. It was very fun, but also a lot of work. I enjoyed having such an important role in their camp experience, too.

The Bead Princess

I was able to give a new workshop that I designed this year. After talking to the campers about diabetes care, I helped them make a bracelet with different colored beads. Each color bead is to serve as a reminder of some aspect of diabetes care – for example, red means to remember to check your blood glucose, green is a reminder to eat healthy foods, etc. We also made cards and extra bracelets that I will give to endocrinologists and doctors in our area to give to newly diagnosed patients as a message of hope and a reminder that even with diabetes, anything is possible!

I have loved travelling around the country to see different summer camps, but to be part of the action was fantastic. I have only ever been a camper at Camp Possibilities and a guest at other camps, but now that I have been a CIT, I can’t wait to do it all over again next year!

On the Road Again

On Tuesday, I travel to Tennessee for a diabetes day camp, where I will, again, speak about the Safe at School campaign. As we get closer to school starting, this is the time to make sure that you (or your child, if you are a parent of a child with diabetes) are safe at school. Be sure to read up about Safe at School at www.diabetes.org/sas!

I’ll be sure to tell you about my experience in Tennessee!

Until then,

Madi

Wednesday, July 13

Hello everyone,

This week I visited Camp GranADA in Illinois, and it was a great day!

I didn’t get to the hotel until about 2:00 am so the camp day came very early! But the absolute sense of fun was tangible as soon as I arrived at the campground, and I enjoyed myself from the moment I stepped out of the car.

When I arrived, there were campers playing dodgeball, doing arts and crafts, and fishing. I joined a group of teen girls my age making pet rocks! It was the last thing I expected to do when I got to camp, but it was really fun. I made a beautiful hot pink rock I affectionately named Delores.

Safe at School

After a wonderful lunch in the camp dining hall, I presented a speech to all of the campers about the Association’s Safe at School campaign. Then I interviewed some of the campers about how they care for their diabetes at their school.

The campers shared very interesting comments about their management plans. Even though I check my blood sugar, give insulin by pump and treat mild lows right in the classroom, I have always gone to the nurse’s office when I need assistance with my diabetes.

Some of the teens I interviewed go to the main office to get insulin from the school secretary since the nurse is not there all of the time. Another camper said that she keeps her tester and supplies in her locker so she goes there whenever she is high or low.

Talking to others about how they receive their care at school has definitely made me realize that we all may have different approaches to caring for our diabetes, but overall what is most important is that we are always safe… safe at home, safe at play and safe at school!

Camps are the Best

I had a fantastic day at Camp GranADA, and like always, it was cool to see the difference between the camps I have attended myself and the camps I have visited all around the country.

Even though it was very, very hot, all of the campers were having a great time and learning so much by being together. I really wished I could’ve stayed longer, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to spend the day there.

No doubt about it, diabetes camps are the best!

Until next time,

Madi

Friday, July 8, 2011

Hey Everyone,

Today, the teens of CWD went to Hollywood Studios where we all had a great time!

It was fun because we all had freedom and walked around the park, but we knew that there were tons of people who could help us in case our blood sugars dropped.

Even more fun awaited us when we returned to the hotel, as we all got dressed up and went to a teen dance in one of the hotel ballrooms. The music was awesome and they played many of my favorite songs. I have very eclectic taste in music, and the DJ seemed to also, so it was a great night for me!

Even Dogs Can Have Diabetes

Throughout the day, I talked to and met some pretty cool people, and tonight I met up with someone very special. He’s had diabetes for most of his life. He has blood sugar checks, watches his diet, exercises and takes his insulin just like everyone else with diabetes.

I tried to interview him the other day when I first met him, and he seemed unwilling to talk to me, so I figured I’d try to talk to him again today. Tonight when I met him, he was just as quiet…so I talked to his owner!

Jackson is a 4 year old English Golden Retriever who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 2 months old. He has come here from Illinois with his family this week to help Dr. Wiedmeyer teach a session about caring for pets and animals with diabetes.

Jackson has such a neat story, and though he was unable to tell me about his life with diabetes, his owner told me how they came about finding, living with, and treating a dog with diabetes.

It was a great experience to hear about the struggles of treating diabetes in an animal, but it was also very inspirational. I figure…if a dog can do it, then so can I. So, now I have met both a monkey and a dog with diabetes – and a whole lot of party animals with diabetes at the teen dance too!

Until next time,

Madi

Wednesday, July 6

Madi talking to kids about diabetes

Hey everyone,

Today is my second day at Children with Diabetes, and it is just so exciting! I met so many people living with diabetes: kids, teens, parents, and even dogs.

Knowing You’re Not Alone

So far today, I have gotten the chance to meet and talk with some new friends of mine, including Sam Billetdeux, who was diagnosed when he was eight and is currently 21. Sam is an active member of the CWD Young Adult program and has travelled to many places around the world to exchange ideas with other teens, young adults and families.

Sam said that the hardest thing about growing up with diabetes was how alone he felt when no one understood how it felt to have diabetes. However, conferences like Children with Diabetes have made his life so much better, because he now knows that he isn’t alone in his fight against diabetes.

Sam is in college studying Spanish and environmental studies. He has always been determined to be sure that diabetes never gets in the way to his life dreams…and it sure hasn’t!

Diabetes Dad

Soon after, I spoke with another new friend, Tom Karlya. He is the Vice President of the Diabetes Research Foundation, and is well known throughout the diabetes community as “Diabetes Dad.”

Tom has won many awards and commendations and he is an actor. He even was nominated for an Emmy award while he was the Executive Producer of dLife on CNBC!

But even more importantly, he is the father of two kids with diabetes. He said he wants to stop diabetes so his kids can go back to the way they lived before they were diagnosed.

Tom said that the hardest parts of being a “diabetes dad are learning the decision-making process of living with diabetes and finding a management plan that works for both the parent and the child.

It was neat to hear his perspective of living with diabetes because I usually talk to other kids and teens with diabetes but I don’t usually hear from their parents.

Dr. Rubin

Madi with Dr. Richard Rubin

After a first-timers reception, I met with another new friend - it seems like I have made so many of those today! His name is Dr. Richard Rubin, and it was so neat to get the chance to talk to him.

Dr. Rubin is a past president of the American Diabetes Association, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and an author of several well-known books on coping with diabetes.

Both his sister and his son have type 1 diabetes, so he has a very close relationship with diabetes. Not only is his son a great inspiration to him, they have even co-authored several books!

Dr. Rubin’s a psychologist and really focuses on positivity. We have a lot in common and share the mindset that even though life may force some unexpected and difficult challenges, you should focus on the happy and wonderful things you have despite the battles.

Dr. Rubin wants to stop diabetes because it is a burden to everyone it affects, and keeps some people from living life to the fullest. During the conference he is leading a workshop about positivity in life with diabetes, and though I am unable to attend the workshop due to my scheduling, I will have my mom take steno-grade notes so I don’t miss a thing.

Tonight at the exhibit hall reception I met Dr. Rubin’s wife, and she is just as nice! Dr. Rubin’s son is also at the conference presenting workshops… I hope I get to meet him too.

In my next blog entry I will tell you about some other interviews that I have lined up with some special people tomorrow.

Stop Diabetes Booth

I also worked at the Association booth in the exhibit hall for three hours during the reception tonight, and it was loads of fun. I walked around the exhibit hall with Adam, another Association volunteer, and we gave out more than 500 Stop Diabetes stickers. We even got some of the mascots to wear stickers! It was too cool!

I had the opportunity to speak about the Safe at School campaign to parents, children and teens that stopped by the booth. I spoke to many of the teens and children about the safe, online community, Planet D on the diabetes.org website. It is a great message board site for teens and children. You should check it out!

After the exhibit hall hours, I went to a teen ice-breaker session, and I met tons of other teens with diabetes. I’ll be spending the next couple of days with them, and we’ll even go to Hollywood Studios, too. I can’t wait!

Until next time,

Madi

June 27, 2011 Part II 

Today I spoke with Radm Kenneth Moritsugu, USPHS (Ret). He introduced himself and was so gracious to thank ME for all that I am doing to help STOP Diabetes.

It is always a warm feeling to be greeted in this way, but then when he told me that he was the retired acting surgeon general of the United States I was even more impressed! I was honored that he gave to me his personal coin medallion. I will treasure it!

I enjoyed listening to a presentation about the path to the artificial pancreas. It was not just interesting to hear where the researchers are in the process, but it gave me a strong feeling of hope that there will soon be even better technological advancements… a huge step until there is a cure!

Thanks Scientific Sessions

I left the Scientific Sessions today feeling both positive and humble, knowing that compared to the astronomical amount of combined knowledge of the minds inside, we each know so little.

I am always thankful for the American Diabetes Association, but nothing compares to the thanks I feel for all of the work they do to fund research, and the amazing work they do to encourage unity amongst all of the great minds …. To prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes!