Hi - I'm Lorie Lewis, President of DEAR Diabetes.

In 2022, two mothers and two daughters, Alita and Anna, were brought together by diabetes.

Both Alita and Anna, as young women living with diabetes were struggling with the daily burden of their disease. 2022 was a difficult year for both Anna and Alita. Their struggles spawned a mission to help others.

My story -

Like many families with generational diabetes, my mother, grandfather, and great uncle were diagnosed with diabetes later in life and my husband's family has a history of diabetes.

For the Lewis family, it seemed diabetes was inevitable as you get older. However, not unlike other families with generational diabetes, we saw diabetes occur at younger ages. I was diagnosed in my mid-30's and our daughter, who was hardly ever sick, was diagnosed at 12 at her school physical. Her daughter was diagnosed at 9 with a rarer form of diabetes, MODY.

What we were unaware of was the devastating impact diabetes would have on our family. The progression of diabetes was spiraling out of control.

Alita's story -

By 2022, Alita's vision had already begun deteriorating as a result of diabetic retinopathy, and she had already lost 2 toes months prior. Then she battled for her life from a gangrene infected foot which led to osteomyelitis and sepsis. After surgery to remove a bone in her foot and months of rehabilitation, in October 2022, she had a below the knee amputation.

Although Alita lowered her A1C, in June 2024, Alita developed an ulcer on her right foot which led to the amputation of her remaining toes in September 2024.

Her resilience and strength have been an inspiration to everyone.

Dear Diabetes Community Day