Children with Diabetes Friends for Life Indy Conference 2022

What is CWD and how did we get involved?

Children with Diabetes is an organization near and dear to our hearts at Peelz. Our team has been attending CWD's Friends for Life Orlando Conference for many years as exhibitors and this year, I had the chance to attend Friends for Life Indianapolis. Friends for Life conferences are a place where diabetes becomes "normal" and everyone is in the same shoes. It is a place where beeps, lows, highs, finger sticks, and shots are just a part of life. 

The FFL experience: 

Friends for Life Indianapolis is a much more intimate experience compared to what we experience in Orlando. Where Orlando hosts over 2000 people, there were around 150 attendees in Indianapolis. The Indy conference was held at the Crowne Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. The Crowne Marriott is located in the old Union Station and some of the hotel rooms are in old train cars! It was a beautiful location.

We spent the weekend attending sessions on mental health and diabetes, exercise and diabetes, insurance, and insulin affordability. Meals were provided Friday-Sunday and every meal was carb counted for easy insulin dosing. As always, a gluten free buffet was available for those living with celiac disease. Snack breaks were spent hanging out with friends both old and new. 

The conference also included a small exhibit area where vendors and sponsors such as Insulet, Tandem, Dexcom, Trial Net, and many others were able to talk to attendees about whats coming up in diabetes. There was a new small business, MBKwear, set up. We got to chat with the owner and learn all about their new pajamas they have created for people with insulin pumps. The pajamas have tons of pockets and a hole inside for tubing, how creative! You can check out MBKwear on Facebook and Instagram. 

If you have not had the chance to attend an FFL conference, we highly recommend attending one! You can meet our team in July at FFL Orlando. We cant wait to see you there! 

-Ashlyn