FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Oct. 7, 2025
Grownup T1Ds Expands to Boston and Denver for Diabetes Awareness Month
Grownup T1Ds, the first nonprofit dedicated to midlife and older adults living with type 1 diabetes, is expanding beyond California with new peer-support chapters launching in Boston and Denver this November for National Diabetes Awareness Month 2025.
The organization helps adults living with type 1 diabetes find community, connection, and emotional support through uplifting, in-person meetups that reduce isolation and burnout. Local volunteer leaders in Boston and Denver will host the first gatherings, marking a milestone in the nationwide growth of this unique nonprofit
For Full Press Release
The Hidden Loneliness of Adult Type 1 Diabetes And How to Fix It
Kelly Dawes, founder and executive director of Grownup T1Ds, was recently featured on a podcast focused on the realities of living with type 1 diabetes in midlife and beyond.
In the conversation, Kelly shares her decades of lived experience and discusses the often-overlooked challenges adults face after transitioning out of pediatric care. She highlights the growing need for connection, visibility, and peer support for those aging with type 1 diabetes.
The episode also explores how Grownup T1Ds is helping fill a long-standing gap by creating meaningful, in-person community for adults navigating life with type 1.
My Sweet Hat Trick
When Juvenile Diabetes Grows Up
Juvenile diabetes.
That’s what we used to call it.
Forty years ago, and wow, typing that makes me realize how old I am, type 1 diabetes was known as juvenile diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was called adult-onset diabetes. The names were simple, they described when you were supposed to get them.
Type 1 Diabetes Advocacy: From Lived Experience To Legislation on Capitol Hill
52 advocates from across the United States gathered on Capitol Hill on October 29, 2025, united by one mission — to make life better for people living with diabetes. Organized by the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC), the day brought doctors, educators, and people impacted by diabetes face-to-face with lawmakers.
Join Blue Circle Health as we talk about aging with type 1 diabetes. We’ll hear from Kelly Dawes, founder of Grownup T1D’s, and Joanne Milo, founder of T1Dto100.
We will discuss the unique challenges faced by individuals aging with T1D, the available resources (and their limitations), and how social support and community needs differ.
Author: Erin Poche Published: June 16, 2025
Meet Kelly Dawes, Advocate and Founder of Grownup T1Ds
Kelly Dawes, a dedicated leader in the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community, has lived with the condition for 44 years. Her personal journey instilled in her a deep sense of empathy and a passion for supporting others. As the founder of the nonprofit organization, Grownup T1Ds, she offers vital resources that foster connection, reminding T1Ds they’re never alone in their experience.
Author: Shae Puckett Published: April 14, 2025
5 Minutes With Diabetes Entrepreneur Kelly Dawes
Want to get to know some of the people making a difference in the diabetes world?
In our “5 Minutes With” series, we talk to experts and advocates who share inspiring stories and their take on the latest in diabetes care.
This week, we sat down with certified paraprofessional diabetic educator, congressional advocate for diabetes, fitness instructor, entrepreneur, and founder of the nonprofit Grownup T1Ds, Kelly Dawes.
