Support
Affordable Access
Your Support is Essential to Achieve Affordable Access to the Latest Diabetes Technology
Diabetes is a complex and challenging disease, the management of which happens primarily in the lived world, the home, school and work environment. Supporters are an important resource that can be leveraged to improve health outcomes, especially when advocating for access to the latest medical advances and cutting-edge technology.
Share Your Voice
If you prefer to write your own letter instead of using the form above, just download our template to get started.
Tips for Advocacy:
- Introduce yourself and describe the nature of your relationship.
- Describe the diabetes diagnosis of the one you support and any treatment challenges they face, including medical procedures or treatments resulting from lack of access.
- Share details about how access will positively impact their health and lifestyle.
- Keep your message concise and firm.
- Share emotion, but don’t be angry.
- Conclude with the action requested and timeframe for response.
- Review for grammatical and spelling errors.
- Find multiple people at the organization to whom you can send your letter.
- Be proud of taking action.
Sharing their story
Make Your Voice Heard – Advocate for People with Diabetes
Charlie Iacono, Diabetes Advocate; Teresa Miller, JDRF Board Member, Caregiver and Mom; Kelly Reilly, CDE, RN and Trent and Cindy Wright all encourage people with diabetes to speak up and make their voice heard toward insurance companies. Take that first step towards advocacy and be persistent – your voice can make a difference.
ACT
Share on Social
You’re only a few clicks away from showing your support on social media with our custom banners, images, and dedicated hashtags.
Share on Social
Alecia Benjamin
“My friend was unfamiliar with the equipment available to her, unsure about the benefits and was not able to communicate to the doctor that she needed this device to help her better manage her diabetes. This experience showed me that we all need someone to advocate for us to get what we need to help us.”
Christel Marchand Aprigliano
Chief Advocacy Officer, Beyond Type 1
“Each one of us has a voice. When our voices are raised as one, our community is an unstoppable force. In advocating for diabetes policy changes, you are not just helping yourself – you're helping millions of Americans impacted by diabetes.”
Evan Deane
“The importance of advocating for greater access to therapy and technology needed to control diabetes is immeasurable. We have a right to our health, which means making treatment that will lead to better outcomes, fewer complications, and a better quality of life, accessible to those who need it.”
Kate Hall
Long-jump Olympic Hopeful
“When you encounter a barrier to accessing the best diabetes technology, use it as an excuse to hone your advocacy skills. As a serious athlete, I have learned that determination and effort lead to success. Advocacy for Access will help you build your knowledge and give you the tools you need to take action and get the technology you need to better manage your diabetes.”
Todd Boudreaux
Editorial Manager, Beyond Type 1
"For people living with diabetes, access to the treatment options of your choice at a reasonable cost is non-negotiable. If you can’t get the technology or medication you need, make noise, seek help from resources like Beyond Type 1, and don’t ever give up."
Helpful Resources
Arm yourself with resources and tips to enhance your knowledge of how to advocate.
