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Breakthrough T1D
Having type one diabetes (T1D) means a lifetime of daily management: constantly checking blood sugar, calculating and administering insulin doses, meticulously planning every meal and every activity... Now imagine being a parent of a child with the disease and having to do all that, plus navigate his or her fear, confusion and frustration. How do you make their world as normal as possible while teaching vigilance and, well, knowing that things will never really be the same?
Here, meet two such mothers who have gone through this emotionally taxing balancing act: Vivian Scott Chew, a 40-year music industry veteran, and Lynn Starr, a former lawyer who's now Chief Global Advocacy Officer of Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, our VB Gives Back partner.
For New York native Chew, whose daughter was diagnosed at age six, T1D was uncharted territory, and that unknown was terrifying. "Back then, being diagnosed meant an eight-day stay in the hospital," says Chew, who co-owns Chew Entertainment, an event production firm, with her husband Ray.
Starr, on the other hand, was already well-versed in the condition when her daughter was diagnosed. She herself was diagnosed at age 27 when diabetic ketoacidosis—a life-threatening result of high blood sugar and not enough insulin—landed her in the hospital. "Fortunately, I was connected with an amazing endocrinologist, and he told me I needed to get involved with what is now called Breakthrough T1D," recalls Starr, who was named its Chief Global Advocacy Officer in 2023. "And, as if I needed more passion for the mission of this organization, my daughter was diagnosed with T1D two weeks after I started in this role."
Learn what these inspiring mothers have to say about their experience—and what advice they have for parents similarly struggling.
Q&A
Tell us about your daughter's T1D journey...
VSC: Loren was suspected to have T1D on Monday, September 30, 1985—a day I will never forget. A simple school exam revealed her blood sugar levels were higher than normal and that ketones were found in her urine sample. Back then, being diagnosed meant an eight-day stay in the hospital, so as the mother of a six-year-old, I had to figure out how to explain to her that her life would never be the same again and, at the same time, make her hospital stay an adventure. That was almost 40 years ago, and I am happy to say, excluding a few road bumps, she has been healthy and is the proud mother of a 15-year-old son—my heart, Camilo.
LS: Remarkably, Jamie's diagnosis came at 27, the same exact age as mine. But unlike me, who had no one with T1D in family, Jamie grew up watching me navigate it. She knew that there would be challenges, but that she could have a very full life. Many of the things she learned when she was diagnosed were different from what I learned. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have replaced fingersticks for testing your blood sugar while insulin pumps, for many, have eliminated the need for multiple daily injections. And thanks in large part to advocacy work by Breakthrough T1D, artificial-pancreas technology allows CGMs and pumps to connect and make some insulin adjustments automatically.
I’m so proud of how she’s taking on her new challenges and also so happy that she—like I did—has the support of the Breakthrough T1D family. We say, having T1D is a club no one wants to belong to, but you meet some really great people in the club!
Vivian Scott Chew and her daughter, Loren
As a T1D mom, what has been the hardest part—and how did you overcome it?
VSC: Getting over the guilt. I thought it was something that I did or could have done better. My initial prayer to God, daily, was to take diabetes from her and give it to me. Subsequently, that prayer changed to God giving me the wisdom and resources to keep my daughter healthy... and alive.
LS: All parents want things to be easy for their children. I know how challenging life with T1D can be. I do worry. I wish she lived closer but remind myself that I, too, lived alone when I was diagnosed. I keep reminding myself of that. She knows I’m always here for her, but this is her journey. We have always been close. Now we have an extra special bond.
Best advice for parents with kids struggling with T1D?
VSC: Be easy on yourself and give yourself some grace. You are doing your best. T1D is very tricky and unpredictable, but as we are now entering the age of so many advancements and the ultimate quest for a cure, I know that one day—very soon—T1D will be a thing of the past. I hold on to that belief every day.
LS: Find the T1D community. Breakthrough T1D has chapters all over the U.S. and we have affiliates in Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Australia and Israel. There are support groups and many ways to get involved. You’ll meet others in your situation. Reach out. You’re not alone.
Lynn Starr and her daughter, Jamie
What's one positive takeaway from this not-so-positive experience?
VSC: It has allowed me to be of service not only to other T1D parents but also to be active and support Breakthrough T1D. I have been involved with the organization since 1985 and have personally witnessed the impact that it has on the world.
LS: I’m definitely a glass-half-full person and look for the positives. I’ve become more empathetic and resilient. And as I said, the T1D club is not one you would sign up for, but I have met amazing people in the 35 years since my diagnosis. When you meet a stranger who lives with T1D, there’s an amazing, supercharged connection. We get it. And that’s pretty special.
Vivian Scott Chew's daughter, Loren, and her grandson, Camilo
What has being involved with Breakthrough T1D meant to you, personally?
VSC: I became actively involved when, as part of the music industry, I asked Breakthrough T1D to join me in raising funds to support research to find the cure. I curated three successful music-industry fundraisers that collectively raised over two million dollars. It is one of my greatest lifetime achievements.
LS: Every day I get to work with an incredibly talented and dedicated team. We’re all working to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications, and to improve lives for those who live the disease. We’re working to influence policies, to speed necessary regulatory approvals and to ensure access for everyone who needs it. For example, we advocate for more government funding for T1D research, insulin affordability and to accelerate cell therapies that hold the promise of curing this disease. We played a pivotal role in the FDA approval of T-Zield, a drug that delays the onset of T1D by about three years. That’s a big deal! And we’re working to be sure people are aware that easy screening for the disease is now available. With early detection, you can prepare for it and avoid a medical emergency like the one I had. At Breakthrough T1D, our mission statement says it all: As we drive toward curing T1D, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this mission.
Lynn and Jamie Starr
From now to the end of September, VB Gives Back commits to raising $250,000 for Breakthrough T1D through consumer donations, in-store give-back events, and $5 from every online order to elevate awareness and support for Type 1 diabetes research, advocacy and community engagement. Learn more here.