PAT MACALISTER'S “DIABETES NEWS & EVENTS” PUBLISHES ITS LAST NEWSLETTER

DIABETES NEWS

PAT MACALISTER’S “DIABETES NEWS & EVENTS” PUBLISHES ITS LAST NEWSLETTER

“Diabetes News & Events”, a decade’s long labor of love created by Pat MacAlister, has published its last newsletter. For those unfamiliar with the publication, “Diabetes News & Events” has provided the community with medical news, dates for upcoming events, advice on maintaining your health with type 1 diabetes, yummy recipes, and inspirational, first-hand stories written by those living with T1D. This newsletter with personality and heart will be sorely missed.

Pat MacAlister, its creator, is a humble woman who has rightly been called a hero, legend, and inspiration. She was born and raised in Cut Bank, Montana, a small, rural community nestled between the edge of the plains along the Canadian border and Glacier National Park. As a young child Pat suddenly and mysteriously fell ill. Her mother took her to multiple doctors until one diagnosed her with type 1 diabetes. In her early years, no one trained Pat how to manage her T1D. Her father gave her a daily shot and her mother weighed and measured her food. Everyone she knew was strictly forbidden to give her anything sweet. That was the extent of her knowledge in maintaining her health in her youth. It wasn’t until she went into a coma at age 15 that she was brought to see an endocrinologist that taught her how to take care of herself. While the experience seems harrowing to those that hear it, Pat counts herself fortunate that, as she sees it, she’s never been challenged by living with type 1 diabetes.

“Diabetes News & Events” began when Pat retired from Metro State University, where one of the courses of study she taught was newsletters. After joining a diabetics optimism club, the president, knowing her background, asked her if she could start a newsletter. And while she moved on from the club, the newsletter continued, bringing information, community, and hope to all who read it. “Diabetes News & Events” helped thousands of readers around the world in its more than a decade in publication.

When asked what advice she’d give to someone recently diagnosed, Pat says to “realize what you have, live with it, and have a good life.” Pat had two dreams: to become a teacher and to one day have a daughter named Beth. She was told she could never have those things - so she did them both. Pat wants everyone out there to know that type 1 diabetes should not stop you from living your best life. She’s been living with T1D for 73 years, and if she can have a good life then so can you! And while “Diabetes News & Events” may have published its last newsletter, Pat will continue to be an inspiration to us for years to come.

THE NEW 14TH EDITION OF UNDERSTANDING DIABETES, 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION!

The latest edition of Understanding Diabetes is here! Our new 14th edition of everyone’s favorite handbook for people living with diabetes features the most up-to-date information on diabetes care and technology.

Orders can be placed online at www.ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org/books or over the phone at 303-628-5119 For any questions, please contact Ben@ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org

THE ENTIRE PINK PANTHER BOOK HAS BEEN REVISED!

Some of the changes include:

Words such as “control” (virtually impossible to completely achieve) and “prevent” (no guarantee of prevention) are no longer used.

Chapter 6, on hypoglycemia, includes the use of intranasal glucagon (Baqsimi) in treating moderate or severe low blood sugar.

Chapter 8 introduces new insulins (including new generic insulins)

Chapter 13, on exercise, emphasizes methods and measures to reduce the likelihood of hypoglycemia brought on by exercise.

The new monitoring index, “Time in Range,” and other indices are reviewed in Chapters 14 and 29.

The school chapter (Chapter 25) is entirely revised to make it usable as a “Standard of Care” for the school. New tables for insulin adjustments for high and low blood sugars and for exercise have been added.

The three continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) currently available in the U.S. are reviewed in Chapter 29.

Chapter 30, on the artificial pancreas, discusses systems currently available, as well as systems now in development.