About Taking Control of Your Diabetes, 501(c)3

Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) is a not for profit organization dedicated to informing and empowering people with diabetes to become actively involved in their own health care. We do this through live national conferences, local events, publications, online resources and our educational television series.   Participation in a TCOYD program is a turning point in so many lives - a day when people with diabetes are encouraged to confront their disease, their fears of it, fears of complications, and of the treatments themselves. Each year at TCOYD we have the opportunity to spark a new understanding and a new energy in thousands of people living with this disease.

Steven V. Edelman, MD, founder and director of TCOYD, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. Dr. Edelman is an internationally recognized leader in diabetes treatment, research and education.

TCOYD National Conferences

Believing that people with diabetes should be the best prepared and motivated to take charge of their health, TCOYD offers a unique and very personal way to understand diabetes and to educate patients to become the most active members of their health care teams. Through conferences and health fairs held in cities across the nation, TCOYD annually brings thousands of people with diabetes, those at risk and their loved ones into contact with national and local medical professionals and others with expertise related to living with the disease for a day of highly informative and motivational programs. TCOYD participants can hear lectures, participate in screenings, and speak one-on-one with diabetes specialists including physicians, exercise specialists, dietitians, diabetes educators, podiatrists, pharmacists and ophthalmologists. Throughout the sessions, participants receive unbiased information on the latest findings of clinical research, the emergence of new equipment and medications, proper diet and exercise, legal and insurance issues, and the resources that are available to people with diabetes and their families. At the midday break, a seated banquet luncheon features an entertaining and inspirational speaker, who shares something from his or her own experience of living with diabetes. A health fair with 50+ informational exhibits from national and local diabetes-related companies and organizations is open throughout the day.

TCOYD's reach is unparalleled for encompassing an every-growing, diverse, actively engaged audience of people who care about living healthfully. We work with international communications firms; state and national government agencies; university health systems, private providers, institutions, and other health service organizations to nurture TCOYD's message of health education and self-advocacy deep within communities across the country.

TCOYD Series Television

In an effort to reach more people living with diabetes with the message of self-advocacy and education, TCOYD launched TCOYD TV in 2006. Taking Control of Your Diabetes Series TV combines in-depth discussions between renowned health professionals in a talk show format with documentary-style interviews from people living with diabetes. Now in its third season, TCOYD TV's encompassing theme is engagement with community. The season features stories about local and national programs, community leaders, everyday heroes, new technologies and the people involved personally and professionally in diabetes awareness, support, education and management.

TCOYD Membership Program

TCOYD Membership exists to reinforce the positive messages about taking control of your diabetes and to provide up-to-date information on diabetes treatments, therapies and research. Membership includes a copy of the third edition of Taking Control of Your Diabetes , by Dr. Steven Edelman.   By providing practical advice, clear explanation and the author's own compelling experience living with diabetes, this information-packed text educates and motivates readers to become active members of their health care team.   Membership also includes TCOYD's critically acclaimed quarterly newsletter.


TEAM

The TCOYD Team. Back Row: Alice Howe, Heidi Rataj, Antonio Huerta, Jill Yapo, Julia Lafranchise, Michele Huie. Front Row: Michelle Day, Dr. Ingrid Kruse, Dr. Steven Edelman, Sandra Bourdette, Michelle Feinstein.