Local community members gathered at the Ann Arbor District Library’s Traverwood Branch on October 16 for CDI’s first-ever Community Seminar Series event, Diabetes 101: Understanding Causes, Types, and Hope for the Future.
Led by Peter Arvan, MD, PhD, a prominent physician-scientist at the University of Michigan, the informative, yet relatable session walked attendees through what diabetes is, why it happens, and how it affects daily life. Dr. Arvan also shared information on the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, common risk factors, and innovative research advances happening right here at the U that focus on prevention, treatment, and the search for a cure.
Guests heard an inspiring story from Krista Sheneman, MFA, a sculptural artist and person living with type 2 diabetes. Krista spoke of her journey, walking from Cincinnati, OH, to her childhood home in Memphis, TN, in 2022. According to Krista, the nearly 470-mile journey “became both a physical and creative investigation into what 'home' means to me and others I encountered during that walk.” During this trek, Krista collected and downloaded data from her continuous glucose monitor, which she used to create her masterful artwork.
Molly Dwyer-White, MPH, managing director of the Caswell Diabetes Institute, who moderated the event, shared, "We’re thrilled to bring our diabetes research into the community, guided by the voices of our patient and family advisors. Their insights help us blend scientific progress with real support for individuals and families where they live and learn." The evening concluded with light refreshments as participants connected and learned more about our collective efforts to improve diabetes care and understanding across U-M.
Plan to join us for the next session of our Community Seminar Series: Diabetes Research That Matters, "Diabetes Myths & Misconceptions: Using Research to Separate Fact from Fiction", featuring Dr. Kara Mizokami-Stout.
Top image: Graph of data from a continuous glucose monitor.
Bottom Image: K. Sheneman's sculptural artwork entitled, "23-Day Snapshot" that visualizes 23 days of her glucose data as a series of four-foot wooden forms.
K. Sheneman (on right), holding a "Wear Your Glucose" sticker made from continuous glucose monitor data, which creates the landscape-like design.
CDI Managing Director, Molly Dwyer-White, speaks to the audience at the Community Seminar Series.