ABOUT
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What Physicians Are Saying:
FOUNDER/CEO- Brandy Barnes, MSW
Hello! My name is Brandy Barnes. I am the Founder and CEO of DiabetesSisters. Although I have 
resided in the Chapel Hill area since 1993, I am a native of Hickory, NC. It was when I was a sophomore in high school-- at the age of 15 (January 1990) -- that my life was changed forever by a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Looking back, I can see how the diagnosis represented a new direction for my life. I had always had an insatiable thirst for knowledge--and diabetes gave me a new subject to dive into. I read everything I could get my hands on related to diabetes. Knowledge became my power. The more I knew, the more I could help myself and help others with the disease.
As editor of my high school newspaper, I wrote articles to educate my peers about diabetes. Then in college at UNC Chapel Hill, I majored in Psychology to better understand the mind-body connection in chronic disease management. While in college, I also organized a group of my college peers with diabetes to meet for a monthly diabetes support group. It was through this 'peer experience' that I saw and felt the impact people can have on each other just by providing support and information. This strengthened my desire to help others with diabetes. As a result, I attended graduate school at UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work. My concentration in Graduate School was "Social Work in Healthcare Settings."
While attending Graduate School, I also worked full-time in diabetes research at the UNC Diabetes Care Center, coordinating the North Carolina site of the American Diabetes Association's GENNID (GENetics of Non-Insulin Dependent diabetes) project. The purpose of the study was to isolate the gene that causes Type 2 diabetes. I also worked on a number of clinical trials on diabetes medications that are currently on the market. I have also served on the North Carolina Diabetes Advisory Council since 2002 and I worked as a Senior Sales Professional for Sanofi from 2003-2010. I began wearing an insulin pump in 1996 and I had my first child, a daughter named Summer, in 2005. After many unsuccessful searches for support related to my own experiences as a woman with diabetes, my vision for DiabetesSisters began to take shape. I must thank my husband, Chris, for believing in me, encouraging me to pursue my dream, and even helping do the "grunt work" to get the organization off the ground. I hope the organization helps every woman with diabetes find the support and education necessary for them to reach their full potential in life! Feel free to contact me at director@diabetessisters.org.
A Special Thank You to Dr. John Buse and his staff at the UNC Diabetes Care Center for all of their support and assistance in launching, maintaining, and expanding this organization. A Special Thank You to Dr. Steve Edelman of Taking Control of Your Diabetes (www.tcoyd.org) for his belief in our cause, his guidance, and his partnership in the first-ever national conference for women with diabetes- the 2010 Weekend for Women Conference. Without these incredible mentors, none of this would have been possible!
Click HERE to read about my 'Ah Ha!' Diabetes Moment
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT - Kelly Evans, MA
Hello DiabetesSisters! My name is Kelly Evans. I am the Executive Assistant to Brandy. I came onboard December 15, 2011 and am thoroughly enjoying the work I am doing at DiabetesSisters. Unlike Brandy and our volunteers, I do not have diabetes. Therefore, my journey here has been so informative and inspirational. I graduated from East Carolina University with a BS in Health Education and received my MA in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA. I have a passion and a heart for empowering women and improving the quality of life for all individuals. Over the past 10 years I have served in an administrative capacity at various non-profits, including NGO's, churches, and social service organizations. As the Executive Assistant, I am responsible for the everyday function of the office, assisting with fundraising opportunities, writing grants, overseeing PODS and any other tasks Brandy may need help with. In my spare time I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family, and making homemade jam.
You can contact me at kellyevans@diabetessisters.org. If you have a question regarding programs (PODS, SisterMatch, Weekend for Women Conference), please email info@diabetessisters.org.
NEWSLETTER COORDINATOR- Shandra Botts
Hi! My name is Shandra Botts and I am a Newsletter Coordinator for DiabetesSisters. I am very excited to be a part of something that reaches out to help women with diabetes! My journey started with my Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis at the age of 8 in 1977. I remember the early years feeling different than the other kids. I vividly recall sitting at a table all by myself in the lunch room at 10am to eat my morning snack of milk and raisins. Then, the teen years came and my main focus became ignoring my diabetes and being mad about it! More importantly, I also remember when I finally figured out that I felt much better when I took care of myself and my diabetes and that it was “MY Job” to do just that, and no one else’s! Unlike most women here at DiabetesSisters, I actually have my own biological DiabetesSister who is 4 years younger and was diagnosed 8 years after me. Although our medical issues have been very different over the years, having someone to talk to about diabetes issues has been a blessing. Who else knows what it truly feels like to be low except someone else with diabetes! This was the reason I knew DiabetesSisters was a great idea when I first heard about it! I feel privileged to be a part of it!
My Mantra: You are Your Own Best Health Care Advocate!
If you have heard a great story about a woman with diabetes, please send an email to me at shandra@diabetessisters.org. We are always looking for inspirational women with diabetes to include in the monthly newsletter’s DiabetesSisters Spotlight each month!
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTOR- Tanya Varanelli
Hi! My name is Tanya Varanelli and I am a newsletter contributor for DiabetesSisters. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2008 at the age of 29. After moving to North Carolina in the the summer of 2009, I was lucky to learn about DiabetesSisters and eager to be a part of such a great organization. I am so proud that I was able to be a part of history by attending the FIRST EVER national conference for women with diabetes-- the 2010 Weekend for Women Conference.
DiabetesSisters is made up of an amazing group of women who are living well with diabetes. I hope DiabetesSisters continues to reach more women, to support and inspire each of us in our journey.
There are many ways to get involved with DiabetesSisters! If you would like to include something of interest to women with diabetes, please contact tanya@diabetessisters.org.
FORUM CO-MODERATOR- Deborah Jones, MSH, CDE
Hello DiabetesSisters! I am really excited to be here. I guess I am going to complicate the mix a little bit because I am a patient and an educator. Here's my story in short form.When I was a fairly new Health Educator, just getting started in my career, I found myself working in the area of chronic disease. There were two certified diabetes educator's who came to our rural health department to teach diabetes classes. One day when I checked my A1c, one of the CDE's told me she thought my A1c was a little too high to be normal, that I probably had pre-diabetes! I was so shocked, but grateful that I was working in this field and found out early. I became a Certified Diabetes Educator in 2004, after being inspired by some great co-workers and our CDE's. I can't believe that I have been in this field for almost 12 years now. This past year, despite all my efforts, the pre-diabetes turned into type 2 diabetes. I am probably a royal pain to my doctor because I have way too many opinions and anxieties about diabetes and all that comes with it. I have learned a lot more about diabetes since I was diagnosed, to say the least.
FORUM CO-MODERATOR - JANE DOHRMANN
My name is Jane Dohrmann and I was diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes in 1966. They didn’t know what “type 1” was back then – that designation didn’t come about until much later – as did so many other amazing changes and technologies. I was only ten years old at the time and I have to admit that I really thought that I was somebody special because I had this “thing” that most people knew nothing or little about. I had two amazing parents who really sacrificed a lot for me and a wonderful, dear friend who was my mentor before the word was fashionable. A woman old enough to be my mother, she also had diabetes and had lived with it since childhood. She became my rock and my inspiration for how I live my life today; to help others learn and accept, and do what’s necessary to stay healthy. I had no idea that it would mold my life and help me become the woman that I am today.
I am married to my best friend, Bill and we have one son, Justin who is an amazing son who plays electric bass and is married to Kimberly. They live nearby and have one kitty, Barry. Bill and I have two kitties: Moo and Ophelia. I am sure I’ll tell you all about them as time goes by.
What a thrill it is to be part of this amazing group of women! I look forward to connecting with you on the online women’s community forum!
BLOG TEAM MANAGER - Markee McCallum
Hello! My name is Markee Flint. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in May of 2009 and Celiac Disease in July of 2009. I was scared and felt isolated because I did not know anyone else with Diabetes or Celiac Disease. Then I met a member of DiabetesSisters through a clinical trial I was in and she asked me if I wanted to help plan the first Weekend for Women Conference hosted by DiabetesSisters and TCOYD. I jumped at the opportunity to meet and interact with other women with Diabetes. One thing led to another and I became a Type 1 blogger for DiabetesSisters. Now am proud to be volunteering as the Blog Team Manager! I cannot even begin to put into words what DiabetesSisters means to me. I am so grateful to be part of an organization that allows me to interact with, and give back to, other women that share similar experiences.
FACULTY MANAGER- Emily James
Hi! My name is Emily James and I am the DiabetesSisters Faculty Manager. I was diagnosed with diabetes in May 2000 when I was 11 years old. I started insulin right away, and was on a pump less than 2 years after my diagnosis. My grandmother (in picture) is type 2, and she has helped me greatly over the years. She reminds me that you never have it all figured out- there are always new things to learn about diabetes and yourself!
I found DiabetesSisters when I was researching graduate schools during a trip to Meredith College. I signed up to volunteer and get involved as soon as I moved to Raleigh. I have a BS in Exercise Science, and am currently working towards a MS in Nutrition. I hope to earn my CDE and work with many others with diabetes, and DiabetesSisters is a great start!
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR- Krista Wentworth
Hello Everyone! I’m Krista Wentworth, a native of upstate
I feel passionately about helping others strive to be their best and am excited to help other women with Diabetes give back to our community by volunteering their time and skills to DiabetesSisters. I am so lucky to have found this tremendous organization, and hope that each of you will consider becoming a member and getting involved.
If you’re interested in volunteering with DiabetesSisters, please contact me at Krista@diabetessisters.org.
PODS (Part of DiabetesSisters) MEETUP COORDINATOR- Kelli Turner
My name is Kelli Turner. I am the PODS (Part of DiabetesSisters) Meeting Coordinator for DiabetesSisters. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on July 9, 1990 during my sophomore year of college. Growing up in the Boston, MA area and attending college less than 90 miles away from the city was my saving grace. I was fortunate to be able transfer from the UNH campus health center to the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston within hours of diagnosis, and received my first insulin shot just 12 hours after being diagnosed. Aside from being in total shock and super emotional, the most memorable part of that day for me was the drive from UNH to Boston. I remember thinking "Wow, this must be REALLY serious if my grandfather, a retired police officer, is driving 75-80mph on a 55mph highway." I found out about DiabetesSisters at the 2009 TCOYD conference in Raleigh, NC. I got involved with DiabetesSisters shortly after the first gathering (May 2009). DiabetesSisters has helped me by allowing me the opportunity to meet, laugh and share time with other sisters who are living happy healthy lives with diabetes. I hope DiabetesSisters continues to grow and touch the hearts of all women living with diabetes.
If have questions regarding PODS, please contact me at kelli@diabetessisters.org.
QUARTERLY GATHERING COORDINATOR- Donna Tucker
My name is Donna Tucker and I am the new Quarterly Gathering Coordinator. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in August 2001 during my annual physical. Although I have a strong maternal family history of diabetes (mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt), I was still shocked and scared when I heard the diagnosis. For the first eight years I was able to control my diabetes through diet and exercise. Two years ago, Metformin was added to my treatment plan to help with my morning readings. Thus far, I consider myself lucky in the ability to control my diabetes but still nervous in what tomorrow may bring. It is a constant battle but one I am determined to win!
Since my mother and both grandmothers passed away before my diagnosis and my aunt lives in upstate NY, I always felt alone. I did not believe my family and friends understood the disease and I did not know anyone with diabetes. I found DiabetesSisters after watching a feature story on local TV News channel WRAL. I remember cheering and saying “It’s about time…finally I will have others to share my journey and the baggage”. I began attending the Quarterly Gatherings in Raleigh and served on the 2011 Weekend for Women Conference Planning Committee.
I feel blessed to have this opportunity and hope to continue to bring Sisterhood, education and fun to the Quarterly Gatherings.
Please email me at donna@diabetessisters.org if you have any questions about upcoming Quarterly Gatherings.