FOUNDER/CEO- Brandy Barnes, MSW

  Hello!  My name is Brandy Barnes.  I am the Founder and CEO of DiabetesSisters.  I am a native of Hickory, North Carolina and I have resided in the Chapel Hill area since 1993.  It was at the age of 15 (January 1990) -- as a sophomore in hight school-- that my life was changed forever by a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.  Looking back, I can see how the diagnosis represented a renewed purpose for my life.  I had always had an insatiable thirst for knowledge--and diabetes gave me a new subject to research, study, and try to understand.  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. While 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 knowledge. This strengthened my pursuit of helping 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. I coordinated 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 in diabetes medication sales 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We are always looking for inspirational women with diabetes to include in the monthly newsletter’s DiabetesSisters Spotlight each month!

NEWSLETTER COORDINATOR- Laura Ely

Hello! My name is Laura Ely and I am one of the Newsletter Coordinators for DiabetesSisters. First and foremost, I would like to say that I am both honored and extremely proud to be a part of such a wonderful organization! To me, DiabetesSisters has the power to have a positive impact on the lives of so many women with diabetes. Although we all come from a very diverse set of backgrounds, we all share the knowledge of knowing what it feels like to live with diabetes. And even though everyone’s experience with the disease is different from woman to woman, I believe that our strength lies in the fact that we can all learn something from one another. I know that already I have learned many things from your stories; here is mine, I hope you enjoy!

I was diagnosed with diabetes at age four, so diabetes has been a way of life for me for as long as I can remember.  Looking back on all of my experiences with diabetes, I know how important it is to have a strong support group of people who are familiar with the daily ups and downs of living with this disease. When I was younger I used to be painfully shy about being diabetic. I was embarrassed to eat snacks during class at school, check my blood sugar, or even treat a low. It was very hard on me because I felt like I had to deal with the disease on my own. That all changed for me when I was ten years old and my mother shoved me out the door and told me that I was going to diabetes camp. As much as I protested at the time, I now realize that going to camp changed my life in the best way possible. In literally one week I went from being a shy little girl who had a hard time dealing with her disease to a strong young woman who would brag to all of her friends at home about how “cool” it was to have diabetes. I can attribute this change to one huge lesson that I learned at camp. It was there that I learned all about having “PMA.” What is PMA, you may ask? Positive. Mental. Attitude. PMA is the most important thing that I carry with me on a daily basis.  Well, perhaps second to insulin!  If you take care of yourself and always try to see the positive in any given situation, you can conquer the world!  If you would like to suggest a story for our monthly newsletter, please email me at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

FORUM CO-MANAGER- Lyndsay Riffe, RD, LDN, CDE

 Diabetes has basically always been a part of my life. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1985, at the age of 3. Thru experiences working with a Registered Dietitian thru the years, I decided to pursue my own career as a Registered Dietician. During my college years, I never thought I would focus on diabetes professionally, as I didn't want to eat, breathe, sleep, and "work" diabetes. However, it did not take long before I realized diabetes education was where I could have the biggest impact and make a difference. I am now a Certified Diabetes Educator working at an adult endocrinology clinic in Chicago. I am married to my best friend, Dan. I love to travel and enjoy any activity outdoors.

I first heard about and joined DiabetesSisters when I received an email from a friend.  It has been exciting to experience the awesome support system of DiabetesSisters!  As women with diabetes, we learn so much through our own experiences as well as through others!  I was thrilled to join this organization!

FORUM CO-MANAGER- Donna Wright

Hello!  My name is Donna.  I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in August 2007 at the age of 46.  I have known since I was a teenager, when my dad was diagnosed with diabetes, that I was at risk of developing diabetes.  As a result, I made sure to have my blood sugar checked yearly so that any problems would be caught early.  In my early 40s, I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes.  You would think that would have been enough to get me on the right track.  Maybe I would have gotten on the right track if I would have had access to better information.  I did lose a little weight and things got better for a while.  Unfortunately, it didn't last long.

When I found out I had diabetes, I felt like a real failure.  Going to a diabetes education class really helped me to feel some control and get myself going.  However, after a few months, I began to lose my motivation and feel very isolated and alone.  I was frustrated and I didn't feel like I had anyone with whom to talk, other than my doctor. One day I was searching the internet for diabetes information sites and stumbled upon DiabetesSisters.  I was lucky to find the site just as it was getting started.  It has made such a difference for me.  I can come and post my accomplishments and my failures.  No one ever judges, and someone always understands.  There is always encouragement and praise.  DiabetesSisters has provided the support that I need to get motivated rather than beating myself up.  I have developed some friendships that I know will continue to grow.  This site provides what women with diabetes need.  I am very happy to be able to contribute as the Women’s Forum Co-Manager.  If you visit the Forum, you are likely to chat with me!

BLOG TEAM MANAGER- Markee Flint

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.  

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR- Tanya Tai

Hi!  My name is Tanya Tai and I am the Volunteer Coordinator 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 volunteer, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

PODS (Part of DiabetesSisters) MEETING 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 you would like to set up a PODS meeting in your city/state, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

QUARTERLY GATHERING COORDINATOR- Megan Wilder

Megan Wilder is from northeast New Jersey. She was diagnosed with diabetes on October 1, 2007 at age 23. She is finishing her Master's of Theology degree at Duke Divinity School this summer, and spends her free time with her adorable chihuahua, Winnie. She became involved in DiabetesSisters while in search of forming friendships with other women coping with diabetes, and is very thankful for the wonderful women she has met. Megan also enjoys working with children and advocating for equal access for Americans living with illness and disability. She hopes to start law school in the next year. 

Megan served on the Planning Committee for the 2010 Weekend for Women Conference and is now serving as the Quarterly Gathering Coordinator.  If you are interested in attending one of our upcoming Quarterly Gatherings or if you would like to hold a Quarterly Gathering in your city, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .