{"id":37166,"date":"2014-11-12T09:58:23","date_gmt":"2014-11-12T14:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=37166"},"modified":"2015-12-27T15:44:52","modified_gmt":"2015-12-27T20:44:52","slug":"how-i-joined-the-artificial-pancreas-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=37166","title":{"rendered":"How I Joined the Artificial Pancreas Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Alecia<\/a><\/p>\n

In June of 2013 I had the opportunity to hear Tom Brobson speak about his participation in the University of Virginia\u2019s Artificial Pancreas Project. I was familiar with the AP project progress over the years and had gone to other JDRF research updates involving AP studies. I had watched some of Tom\u2019s videos (read: A LOT), where he spoke of his experience, showed off the equipment and explained how everything worked. I was already in awe. Seeing the presentation in person though, that was different. No longer just inspiring and exciting, I wanted to be more INVOLVED.<\/p>\n

After Tom\u2019s presentation, people in the audience started chatting with him. I got in line.\u00a0 Both of the people ahead of me asked about the technical parts of the artificial pancreas (AP), the companies involved and projected\u00a0 time lines. I had a different motive.\u00a0 I wanted to hug Tom. Yep. Hug a stranger I knew from AP videos. I wasn\u2019t sure how he\u2019d react but he seemed so down to earth and personable. To me (and I\u2019m sure many other people), this man was already an incredible part of diabetes history.\u00a0 When it was my turn, I asked him to take a photo with me. So humble, he asked if I wanted to hold the AP Android phone as he moved away.\u00a0 No, I explained, I wanted a photo with HIM. I hugged him and didn\u2019t want to let him go. Tom has been part of something so very many T1Ds dream about becoming a reality, he seemed like magic.<\/p>\n

\"Hugging<\/a><\/p>\n

As I left the presentation, I spoke to a friend who worked for JDRF, about the whole experience and how inspired I felt.\u00a0 I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat.\u00a0 I was overwhelmed with excitement over the AP progress. I told my friend how much I would love to participate in these trials, as Tom had spoken about how participants were needed.\u00a0 I too wanted to be a guinea pig to further the AP cause. My friend told me he wanted to do the same thing and had recently gotten on the AP volunteer list for clinical trials at the University of Virginia.\u00a0 Bingo.\u00a0 I was off and running.\u00a0 Within days, I too was on the list.<\/p>\n

I periodically\u00a0spoke with the UVA co-ordinator. There were opportunities to participate.\u00a0 The University of Virginia is far from New York City.\u00a0 I was determined that if they could use this T1D body of mine, then I\u2019d get my butt (and pancreas) to Virginia.\u00a0 I qualified as a potential candidate, along with my friend, for a trial.\u00a0 We worked out all the details and factored it into travel plans for Thanksgiving.\u00a0 There was paperwork, and more paperwork.\u00a0 Then, things got delayed but other trials were progressing.\u00a0 Patience!<\/p>\n

In February 2014, an email arrived.\u00a0 Enough UVA AP progress was made that the study I\u2019d been hoping to be in, was closed and I wasn’t needed anymore. Yay AP progress, boo hoo I wasn\u2019t going to be a participant (I know, I\u2019m a jerk, but I really wanted to be in the trial).\u00a0 My heart sunk into my stomach, my pancreas frowned a little bit more than usual.\u00a0 I had been so excited and motivated to be in a clinical trial, to take what I\u2019d hoped was my next step as a diabetes advocate. I wanted to cry but I was at my endocrinologist\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

The last sentence of the email mentioned a possibility of an artificial pancreas\u00a0trial in New York City.. WHAT?!?!\u00a0 And the doctor involved was MY endocrinologist.\u00a0 I was waiting IN my endocrinologist\u2019s office as I read it.\u00a0 Yes, it was bizarre and incredible timing.<\/p>\n

Now, it\u2019s November and I AM a PARTICIPANT in the AP clinical trial.\u00a0 Next up?\u00a0 Learning a new pump, collecting data and getting ready for CLOSED-Loop!<\/p>\n

If you would like more information on participating in an Artificial Pancreas clinical trial, the email address for trials at UVA is: \u00a0artificialpancreas@virginia.edu<\/a>\u00a0.\u00a0 The contact person for the trials at Mt. Sinai (New York City) is Camilla Levister who can be contacted at:\u00a0camilla.levister@mssm.edu<\/a>. Also for more opportunities to participate in clinical trials within the United States, information can be found at: \u00a0http:\/\/clinicaltrials.gov\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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