Chat live with Dr. Pugliese, an expert on the immunology and genetics of diabetes at The Diabetes Research Institute. His work has been focused on preventing the autoimmune attack that leads to diabetes. This research is very important for future prevention strategies, as well as stopping autoimmune destruction of transplanted islets.

Dr. Pugliese's has studied the role of the thymus gland in the immune system and he describes it as the "school for the immune system". All immune cells are forced to pass through the thymus gland where they are exposed to the antigens present throughout the body. Immune cells that bind to these normal antigens are destroyed, thereby preventing the later destruction of healthy cells. If no binding occurs, then the cell is deemed to be friendly to host tissue and is released to become part of the immune system. The insulin producing cells of the body - islets -- are not the only body cells that release insulin. Dr. Pugliese's research has shown that there are other cells that release tiny amounts of insulin, but not in response to blood glucose. These cells present insulin to the visiting immune cells in the thymus, and any immune cell that binds is killed. It is believed that a low insulin output in these decoy cells in people who develop diabetes may be the reason that immune cells are allowed to live that will later track insulin back to its source and destroy healthy islets. In people who have the genetic markers that protect against diabetes, these cells secrete more insulin than they do in people with genes that pre-dispose them to diabetes. The more insulin in the thymus, the more likely that insulin-specific autoreactive lymphocytes will be killed, with fewer chances of developing diabetes.

Confused yet? Yeah, me too - but my confusion feeds my insatiable curiosity. That is precisely why I will be joining the rescheduled chat with Dr. Pugliese. Please, be there on March 15th at 9pm Eastern Standard Time on Diabetes Talkfest. Make it a date: you, me, Dr. P and the most informed people in the diabetes community. Once again, thanks to Gina and Jon for Linking Diabetics Coast to Coast!

It is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to blog about someone I consider to be a first string player in the sport of diabetes. Her name is Kerri, and her position is all over the place! Yes, you read that correctly. Kerri is a trifecta of talent. She currently works as an editorial assistant for dLife, where she writes a monthly column, "Generation D." She also finds time to contribute as a co-editor for EXIST Magazine, an online resource of CNN news with an MTV voice. You might recognize her co-editor (who is also her ever-supportive boyfriend) Chris Sparling. But the main event that drew my attention to Kerri was her blog, Six Until Me.

She started SUM in May of 2005 after Googling "diabetes" and finding not much more than a list of complications and the American Diabetes Association website. She was one of the pioneering blogs in the diabetes community. When she first set it up, SUM was one of 5. Nowadays you'll find more than 150 diabetes blogs out there in cyberspace. SUM has become reassurance for Kerri that she is not alone in dealing with diabetes. Having that kind of reassurance means the world to her, as I'm sure it does for those of us reading. Kerri puts her heart and soul into SUM and I invite any of you who spend a few minutes there to prove me wrong.

Throughout her twenty-something years of experience as a type 1 diabetic, Kerri insightfully shares her tricks of the trade in diabetes management. Grab a pen because this girl knows what she's talking about! First, she says to test often. Yes ma'am. You can't argue logic and that seems to be the only avenue open these days to tight control. Her second suggestion is just as important, but far more effective: personal forgiveness. Kerri says: diabetes is a very psychological disease... There is no such thing as a perfect diabetic. But you can be one that tries your best. Don't do yourself the disservice of calling certain foods "bad," because you don't deserve that. If your management takes a tumble, dust yourself off, forgive yourself, and move on. Life is too short to be saddled with guilt. Kerri, your words epitomize the emotional exuberance we all need to withstand diabetes. You inspire me. You share your wisdom in ways that make me proud to have you along for the ride on the D-train. That alone, should win you the Diabetes OC Awards, for which you have been nominated. Good Luck and congratulations on your ever-growing success!

I remember my mom telling me what happened when they first learned I was diagnosed with diabetes. My parents went up to my neighbor's house and my dad was devastated - to the point of tears. My dad is a doctor and learning that his daughter was just diagnosed with type 1 diabetes left him feeling helpless and guilty. He felt guilty he did he not see it happening. He felt helpless because he knew my life was about to change and he couldn't fix it. I think somewhere inside I have an irreparable feeling of guilt that I ever caused my dad to feel this way. He is the man who rescued me from the monsters in my closet. He read me bedtime stories. He is my hero. I began writing this tonight to express an enormous amount of appreciation to another father with a diabetic daughter - Jeff Hitchock.

Jeff's daughter, Marissa, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 24 months old. Jeff created children with DIABETES in June 1995 with the goal of helping Marissa meet other kids who had diabetes. children with DIABETES promotes understanding of the care and treatment of diabetes, especially in children. It also increases awareness of the need for unrestricted diabetes care for children at school and daycare, to support families living with diabetes, and to promote understanding of research for a cure. Over the years, children with DIABETES has grown to become one of the largest diabetes-related web sites in the world. If you are a parent, you can only imagine the dedication Jeff has put into the site. More importantly, you will see the resources and experts he has incorporated into this site. I'd bet double or nothing on Jeff's site. He gives the Library of Congress a run for it's money.

Marissa is the reason that the children with DIABETES site exists. She is now in nursing school and plans to take care of kids with diabetes. As a nurse, she'll impact the lives of diabetic kids the same way her father has impacted the lives of millions through children with DIABETES. Thank you for all you have contributed to the diabetic community. Best of luck in nursing, Marissa!