African American Diabetes Association, Inc.

10/13/2026

Our Co-Founder and CEO said, "I'm excited and honored to join the lineup at the 2026 Annual Meeting! Let’s explore the future of patient-centered CER together."

Register now-it’s free. https://pcori.me/4w16uBx

Diabetes care is evolving rapidly. Questions remain about which treatments and approaches work best for whom, in which settings, and at what cost.

AADA Co-Founder and CEO Leon N. Rock, M. Ed, will participate as a panelist at the annual PCORI conference session “From Lived Experience to Evidence: Patient-Informed Priorities in Diabetes Care.” Patients, advocates, researchers, and payers explored the future of diabetes research and care, PCORI’s work in diabetes research, engagement and dissemination, and patient-informed priorities for comparative clinical effectiveness research.

Speakers:
Sweta Basnet, MSc, Program Associate, PCORI

April Gutmann, M.A., Senior Manager, Government Affairs and Policy, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition

Thomas Martens, M.D., Medical Director, HealthPartners Institute

Romain S. Neugebauer, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Leon Nathaniel. Rock, M.Ed, Co-Founder and CEO, African American Diabetes Association

Mikel K. Severson, B.A., Senior Manager, Clinical Innovation and Research, The Alliance of Community Health Plans

Kartik K. Venkatesh, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of OB-GYN and Epidemiology, Director of Diabetes in Pregnancy Program, The Ohio State University

Godfrey B. Woelk, Ph.D., Senior Program Officer, PCORI

10/13/2026

Chicago’s early-phase pilot is hopeful. Researchers describe this as a potential functional cure, not a cure. At University of Chicago Medicine, Dr. Piotr Witkowski led an investigator-initiated trial of donor pancreatic islet cells transplanted into the liver, with investigational anti-CD40L tegoprubart instead of standard immunosuppression. Updated June 2026 data: all 12 participants achieved insulin independence; average HbA1c around 5.4%. Breakthrough T1D supported the trial; Eledon Pharmaceuticals sponsored it.

Small cohort; long-term safety and durability are unknown. Donor supply limits scale; prior islet transplant attempts lost function over time. No data yet on whether it works for or is accessible to Black patients. Not available now. Do not stop or change insulin or medication.

Sources:
1. Breakthrough T1D, all 12 participants off external insulin:
https://www.breakthrought1d.org/news-and-updates/tegoprubart-islet-transplant-all-participants-off-external-insulin/
2. NBC News, early trial results:
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/early-clinical-trial-people-type-1-diabetes-are-able-go-insulin-rcna601171
3. Eledon Pharmaceuticals, updated trial data at UChicago Medicine:
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/06/08/3307947/0/en/Eledon-Announces-Updated-Data-from-Investigator-Initiated-Islet-Transplant-Trial-of-Tegoprubart-in-Patients-with-Type-1-Diabetes-T1D-at-UChicago-Medicine.html
4. T1D Exchange, a participant's story:
https://t1dexchange.org/articles/katie-beth-hand-eledon-islet-cell-transplant-study
5. TrialSiteNews, remarkable early results, but not yet a cure:
https://www.trialsitenews.com/a/12-of-12-type-1-diabetes-patients-stop-insulin-after-cell-transplantsremarkable-early-results-but-not-yet-a-cure-de6bd030

This post is for education and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.

10/12/2026

10/11/2026

Be part of history at Colorado’s 1st Annual Diabetes Walk! Bring your friends, family, and energy as we move together toward a healthier future. See below:

10/10/2026

It feels like we’re losing a piece of our history with every icon we say goodbye to. For Black Baby Boomers, these weren’t just celebrities; they were the voices, the faces, and the soundtrack of our lives. We grew up watching them break barriers and redefine culture, and losing them feels deeply personal.

This wave of loss is a stark reminder of the importance of health in our community. We are losing too many of our treasures too soon, often to preventable chronic conditions like diabetes and cardio-metabolic diseases.

To the Black entertainers and artists who continue to inspire us: Your health is your greatest legacy. Please, take care of yourselves the way you take care of us with your art. Regular check-ups, managing blood pressure, and staying on top of diabetes screenings are vital. We need you here with us, for the culture and for future generations. Let’s honor our legends by prioritizing our well-being.

Health education only, not medical advice. Please talk with a qualified health professional about your care.



Rest In Peace; , , , , , , , , , , ,

10/09/2026

🩺 DID YOU KNOW? Your skin can tell you a lot about your health!

When we talk about diabetes, blood sugar is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But diabetes can affect other parts of the body, including your skin!

People living with diabetes may experience dry skin, slow-healing wounds, frequent infections, or other skin changes.

These symptoms don’t always mean someone has diabetes, but they’re worth paying attention to!

💙 AADA Reminder: Taking care of your skin is another important part of protecting your overall health.

✨ Moisturize regularly.
✨ Pay attention to unusual changes.
✨ Don’t ignore wounds that aren’t healing.
✨ Keep up with your diabetes management plan.

Remember, early attention to changes can help prevent more serious complications.

💬 Did you know diabetes could affect your skin? Let us know in the comments!

📲 Share this post to help spread awareness throughout our community!

10/05/2026

🧠 Stress isn’t only something you feel emotionally, your body responds to it, too.

When we’re stressed, the body releases hormones that can affect blood sugar levels. For someone managing diabetes, that can make an already stressful day feel even more challenging.

You may not be able to eliminate every source of stress, but small moments of care still count. 💙

Take five minutes today. Breathe. Step away from the screen. Put on your favorite song. Pray. Sit somewhere quiet. Call someone who makes you smile.

And remember: rest and stress management are part of taking care of your health, too.

💬 What’s one thing that helps YOU decompress after a stressful day?

10/01/2026

🚨 DIABETES MYTH CHECK!

“If you have diabetes, you can NEVER eat sugar.”

❌ Not quite.

Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you have to label every food as simply “good” or “bad.” What, how much, and how often you eat, as well as your individual diabetes management plan all matter.

Everyone’s needs are different, which is why personalized guidance from your healthcare team or a registered dietitian can be so valuable. 💙

At AADA, we want our community to have information that empowers, not shames.

💬 What diabetes myth have YOU heard that you want us to talk about next?