With a robust network of more than 300 members, the Grand Blanc Networking Coffee Group not only regularly meets in person to build relationships within the type 1 diabetes community, it also hosts a highly active Facebook group.

The Grand Blanc group was launched six years ago by moms Erica Surman and Melissa Jablonski (who has since become the walk coordinator for the East Lansing Breakthrough T1D One Walk). Armed with a list of local Breakthrough T1D connections who enrolled after receiving their Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes®, and Bag of Hope, Erica’s meetings began in a Flint coffee shop and later moved to Flint’s well-known Halo Burger, where members could bring their kids to play while the parents shared the latest in their worlds with T1D. The group also has gotten together for special events to do skating nights, Mom’s Night Out dinners and Back to School breakfasts, to name a few. These get-togethers vary in locations to be accessible for all.

The group soon expressed a desire to connect between meetings and a Facebook group was launched. The Facebook group became especially important to members who were facing a new diagnosis and a limited understanding of T1D. They found the group a safe place to describe their circumstances with others who understood exactly what they are going through, when other friends and family members could not.

Even when members move away from the Grand Blanc/Flint area, they stay in touch via Facebook to maintain the relationships they’ve developed within the group. In fact, though Erica moved away from the area (and Lynette Doyle took over regular group oversight), she continues to remain active in the group from afar, via Facebook.

Because of the “Grand Blanc/Flint JDRF Support Network” group’s active nature, questions and needs get a nearly immediate response with advice and experiences at any time of the day. Members offer general support, recommendations and advice based on their own experiences with T1D and even help with overwhelming medical jargon for those who are new to the diagnosis. Lynette and Erica, oversee the group and are proud of the safe, open environment for group members to feel comfortable and develop relationships that can last a lifetime.

The Grand Blanc Networking Coffee Group’s Facebook page is a closed group, so members can feel secure sharing their feedback and questions. If you are interested in joining the Grand Blanc Networking Coffee Group, contact Lynette Doyle at zdoylefam@yahoo.com for the next meeting date. And to join the Facebook group, visit “Grand Blanc/Flint JDRF Support Network” on Facebook and click Join Group.