#52Women52Weeks: Tori Bender is breaking through diabetes to save the lives of others—and her own
Randi Zuckerberg
10x Marathons since Sept 2023 ? 7x Ultramarathons (Longest: 100 miles) ? 3 Tony Awards ? Host on SiriusXM ? Mom x 3 ? Author x 3 ? Bad Golfer ?
Tori Bender works to raise awareness and understanding of diabetes as the communications & outreach coordinator at the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University Medical Center—a world-renowned center for diabetes research and care.Tori is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and is the proud mom of 5 year old twins.
1. When did you realize you wanted to become an expert on type 1 diabetes?
Soon after I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 8 years old I realized I had the power to choose whether to wallow in self-pity or embrace a new normal. I chose the later. My “expertise” is the result of 28 years spent learning, experimenting, and trying my best to live a normal life with T1D, an auto-immune disease that destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.
My life with T1D requires frequent blood sugar checks, an insulin pump, a continuous glucose monitor, crazy amounts of carb-counting and discipline. Today I am able to share my knowledge and help support others as the communications and outreach coordinator at the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University Medical Center.
2. How can patients tell the difference between a good doctor and when it's time to get a second opinion?
Do you feel in control of your diabetes? Are you aware of the latest tools and technology on the market? Are you receiving the multidisciplinary support you need to achieve your diabetes management goals? If you have diabetes, it is time to get a second opinion if you’ve answered “no” to any of those questions. A good doctor enables you to take control of your diabetes and provides the medical, technical and emotional solutions to thrive.
3. What is the most important advice people can follow to avoid diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. No matter what. Scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers play a role in the onset of T1D, yet those factors and triggers are unknown. The good news is that clinical trials are being conducted at the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center and other centers around the country to look at ways to prevent, delay and reverse the progression of the disease.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and occurs when the body becomes insulin resistant. It is commonly associated with obesity. Like T1D, type 2 is genetic and in most cases it cannot be avoided for the long term. Some people with type 2 can control their blood glucose with diet and exercise, but many require insulin.
4. How has your own diabetes helped you be a better mother?
Type 1 diabetes has taught me how to be an advocate. It’s a skill I put to use from the moment my twins were born five weeks early. Years spent navigating our health care system for my needs prepared me to take charge when the wellbeing of my children came into play.
My children are very aware of my type 1 diabetes. We talk open and honestly about all the “stuff” on my body and the gadgets in my bag. By involving them in the process my children are learning first hand that modern medicine is pretty fantastic. I am proud to be able to teach them that lesson.
When I was young I watched my mother take action. She made sure my care team was in place, my prescriptions were filled, that I could go to camp and just be a normal kid. She inspires me to be a mother on a mission for my children.
5. What is the most inspiring part of being an outreach coordinator?
My proximity to the science! At the Berrie Center I work amongst geniuses who are dedicated to treating diabetes and finding a cure. Berrie Center scientists are already curing diabetes in mice by using the skin cells from patients with diabetes at the Berrie Center and turning them into insulin-producing beta cells.
Through patient programs, events, our newsletter and social media (@nbdiabetes), I have the ability to communicate all that goes on at the Berrie Center and strengthen our community. I’ve been on this journey for a long time. Nothing would be more inspiring than witnessing a cure for diabetes.
Connect to Tori Bender HERE
Learn about a different woman changing the world every Thursday in the #52Women52Weeks series!
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Business Leader | Financial Management and Growth | Driving Business Success
8 年...life has no meaning if it can not replecate itself to make life worth living for another...pro-life means pro-health...lets stand for it and fight for it...
Regional Manager at Indus Resource Centre
8 年its good information for diabetic people specially in Pakistan this is very serious issue every 3rd person in involved in diabetic.
Assistant Private Secretary in a Govt. Office
8 年The diabet is a crucial dease spread all over the world. The main reason of that is always taking rest in the 24 hours daily life of man or woman. Hard struggle for gaining a purpose of task is stopping. In the early centuries, all people of daily life are busy for doing their task, so their health maintained by the hard working. I suggest that continued practice for doing a difficult tasks by every individual of the society must be continued to over come on diabets.
Abdul Waheed Mughal at Punjab Group of Colleges & Allied Schools
8 年To find way to help others is always the best solution to one's own problem.
It is very commendable that you are addressing such an issue as diabetes but...this is a case of the consumer/patient weighing in which; on the surface is good but you are not a clinical professional and some of your info is wrong. Type 2 diabetes does not often require insulin. In fact; it's the opposite! Type 2 diabetes is the most common type (over 90%) of diabetes and it is not just related to obesity. Being overweight can lead to pre-diabetes. Your waist circumference is important here, as well as, your fat to lean mass ratio. Research is also looking into the microbiome...your gut bacteria and its' influence. Diet and exercise are huge factors impacting type 2 diabetes which; leads us to the next point... Finding a good doctor is important ...for everything. But in the case of diabetes; finding a good Registered Dietitian and/or Certified Diabetes Educator is even more important. In most cases; they will know more about how to treat and control your diabetes than a medical doctor. Please reach out to a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Diabetes Educator and expand your education on diabetes otherwise; you might be dispensing bad info to people who are taking yours at face value - doing more harm than good. It's a case of not knowing what you don't know. Congrats on the crusade!