Get to know an A1C Champion

JoAnn's journey to becoming an A1C Champion began long before she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in her early 30s. By then, she'd already witnessed how her mother, grandfather and grandmother had not successfully managed their diabetes. "No one in my family took it seriously," she says. "Our history was, you do what you want."

She began to educate herself. The more JoAnn learned, the more she realized that she held the power to control her diabetes in her own hands. She recognized that proper nutrition, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and taking insulin would help her succeed.

JoAnn purchased a Diabetes Soul Food cookbook and discovered that she could still enjoy her favorite foods - once they were adapted to meet her nutritional needs. She joined a walking group in her local park, eventually logging three miles a day. Today JoAnn describes herself as a stay-at-home mom, a doting grandmother - and a diabetes activist.