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Back at Disney!
Yes, there was construction to contend with. Yes, it was awfully-steamy-and-muggy July weather. Yes, there were the July 4 holiday crowds in the park. And yes, there was the usual first-day challenge to figure out how the Pepper Market and the refillable beverage cups work, and where the new bus stops were located.
The consensus, however, was that it was great to be back at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and indeed to come ‘home’ to where the first FFL was held, way back in 2001. There’s a wonderful feeling about owning the convention center, i.e., having every single meeting room large and small dedicated to our group. Friends for Life Orlando 2017!
People came from near and far to join us. There were families from South Africa and Peru. Alaska and Orlando. Several Disney cast members with type 1 diabetes participated. In all, roughly 2,000 people joined us for the week. Of those with type 1, 47% were adults, representing the largest number of type 1 attendees we’ve ever had participate in a CWD conference. There were 800 children and 700 first timers. There were 10 special guests, 11 Sports Central staff, 17 room captains, 14 Retinal Screening team members, and 88 dedicated youth program staff. There were 15 FFL Support Team members, whom you didn’t see – until you needed to. There were seven faculty members dedicated to the Spanish track program and eight to the Grandparents program. In total, there were 87 presenters, of whom 34 were with us as faculty for the first time. That’s quite a gathering of talent all under one roof.
A record number of sponsors supported this year’s event. The Exhibit Hall was sold out – and packed with attendees every day. Every retinal screening appointment was booked, and TrialNet and celiac screenings were busy each day. Orange, green, and yellow FFL wristbands everywhere.
And a new logo. A new look. A fresh direction.
Our most sincere thanks to the sponsors who supported this conference and who each year allow us to make it bigger and better: Novo Nordisk, Lilly Diabetes, Dexcom, Inc., BD, Tandem Diabetes Care, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Insulet Corporation, Animas Corporation, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care, Sanofi Diabetes, Ascensia Diabetes Care, the Diabetes Research Institute and Foundation, Beta Bionics, the American Diabetes Association, Beyond Type 1, JDRF. Mallinckrodt, ThromboGenics, and media partner Telemundo Orlando. On behalf of the thousands of people you touched at Friends for Life 2017, we are so grateful for your friendship and support.
- Report from Sunday through Tuesday
Registration, Sports Central, and Renewed Friendships- Report from Wednesday
Registration, Focus Groups, First Timers Reception, Grand Opening of the Exhibit Hall- Report from Thursday
Breakfast, Sessions, Family and Friends Banquet and Dancing- Report from Friday
Sessions, Teens Offsite, Adults Night, Family Movie Night, Dessert with the Faculty- Report from Saturday
Teen Dance, Tween Social, Family Fun Night- Report from Sunday
Farewell Breakfast and long goodbyes- Photos
Thousands of photos to help you relive your experience- Photos from the Teen Dance Photo Booth
Teens having a great time on Saturday evening- Presentations
Selected presentations from the conference- Other Write Ups
What other people experienced at Friends for Life Orlando 2017- Sponsors
Our generous sponsors make Friends for Life possible- Jeff's Letter from the Program
On Being Orange- Laura's Letter from the Program
Reflecting on the evolution of FFL- Ken's Letter from the Program
On the Board's commitment to FFL- The Print Program
The full print program- Event Announcement
The announcement from the event
Amanda Jo and Billy Lee helped Isabella and Jackson cut the ribbon to open the Exhibition Hall on Wednesday
Dr. Des Schatz gave a rousing opening keynote on Thursday morning
Even our youngest kids use the latest in diabetes care technology
[ Report Intro | Sunday through Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Photos | Docu-Diabetes III | Other Write Ups | Presentations | Sponsors | Print Program | Event Announcement ]
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