Inspiring
Community Organizations
★ Meet the Heroes ★
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![Woman sitting at a table, holding a syringe, smiling softly, with a blurred window background.]()
Laura Pavlakovich
You're Just My Type is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the mental health of people living with Type 1 diabetes. Through in-person events, resources, and community-building, they create spaces where individuals can connect, share experiences, and find support.
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![Portrait of a man with dark curly hair and a beard, wearing a black collared shirt, against a plain white background.]()
GARY FORBES
A former NBA player who spent twelve years playing professionally for teams like the Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, and Brooklyn Nets. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, he became one of only three players in NBA history—and the only African American—to compete at the highest level while managing the condition. Today, Gary is an author and founder of The Sole Survivors, a book series that empowers children living with chronic conditions.
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![A portrait of an older man with gray hair, glasses, and a slight smile, wearing a white collared shirt against a gray background.]()
Jeff Hitchcock
Children with Diabetes (CWD) is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families living with type 1 diabetes. Founded in 1995 by Jeff Hitchcock after his daughter’s diagnosis, CWD provides trusted education, community, and resources. Its Friends for Life conferences bring together thousands of people with T1D, their families, and leading experts each year to learn, connect, and celebrate life with diabetes — helping families thrive today while working toward a cure tomorrow.
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![African American woman speaking at a conference, wearing a white blazer, pearl necklace, pearl earrings, and using a headset microphone, gesturing with her hand.]()
Phylissa DeRoze, PHD
Dr. Phyllisa Deroze is the founder of Black Diabetic Info and one of the most recognized African American Type 2 diabetes bloggers in the world. Diagnosed in 2011, she turned her personal journey into a global platform for culturally competent diabetes education. Featured in outlets like DSMA Live, Health Monitor Diabetes Magazine, HuffPost Live, and Diabetes Focus. Dr. Deroze is also the co-author of Diabetes Helpers, the first children’s book highlighting kids who support loved ones with diabetes.
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![A smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing a satin blouse, sitting in a wheelchair, in a room with wall art and a logo in the top right corner.]()
Elizabeth Forrest
Touched by Type 1 is a nonprofit based in Orlando, Florida, dedicated to raising awareness of type 1 diabetes, funding research for a cure, and empowering people with T1D to thrive. Founded in 2000 (originally as Dancing for Diabetes), the organization hosts an annual conference, community events, and creative programs that bring education, support, and inspiration to families and individuals impacted by type 1 diabetes.
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![Portrait of a smiling young man with medium-length brown hair, wearing a navy blue button-up shirt with small white patterns, against a black background.]()
Anthony Laurain
Health Odyssey Studios, led by CEO Anthony, is a pioneering digital health company transforming patient education through immersive, gamified experiences. By blending virtual reality, interactive 3D environments, and hands-on learning, the studio allows patients to explore their own bodies, understand diabetes, and engage directly with their treatment journey. Anthony’s vision positions Health Odyssey at the forefront of patient-centered, tech-driven wellness innovation, coming soon!
