Bradley’s chapter of College Diabetes Network (CDN) held its first meeting of the fall semester on YouTube Live on Sept. 24. The meeting contained a brief introduction of the organization, the members and the importance of the chapter to Bradley.
Claire Peters, chapter president and co-founder junior music business major, created the organization in hopes of providing a safe space, as she herself was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 14 years old.
Growing up, Peters learned to take care of her disease herself. As she moved to Bradley, she was concerned about the adjustment.
“I had to see how I was going to get my supplies delivered to campus and store it,” Peters said. “My parents and I made sure which hospital would cover my insurance. We talked about a plan if something would happen and to talk to accommodations for classes.”
After this experience, Peters wanted to develop a campus community that would benefit students with similar struggles and act as a resource for those affected by diabetes. So founded the Bradley chapter in 2018.
Her CDN chapter co-founder, senior nursing major Jennifer Kaz, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 2.
“As a nursing student, I love helping others, so with this organization, I hope to assist and mentor other students with the scary transition to college and help them understand and realize that they are not alone in the journey,” Kaz said.
Bradley’s chapter of CDN has been trying to get more students involved by hosting events and meetings such as the College Diabetes Week and putting tables out with information and activities.
According to Peters, the organization tries to meet once a month or sometimes every other month to talk about issues, highlights and achievements.
Peters emphasized that being diabetic is a predisposed condition, making the current pandemic all the more dangerous.
“There has been a lot of consideration when I should go out and how I should maintain it,” Peters said. “That was a big thing for me. I am someone who needs to go out. Even if it’s just the grocery store.”
CDN offers connections with other students that have Type 1 diabetes.
“It’s almost like we’re the parent and diabetes is the kid,” Peters said. “Having a community of kids on campus who understand that is really valuable. I wanted this group to be a place for others to go when they have these issues or say, ‘Wow, my blood sugars are actually good,’ and have others understand how much of an achievement that is.”
You can follow up with the College Diabetes Network on its website. You can also follow up with Bradley’s chapter on Facebook (@BUCDN), or you can contact Claire Peters at cepeters@mail.bradley.edu.
