PATIENT STORIES
Mary-Anna
Diagnosed at age 11, Mary-Anna has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 40 years. Following a series of islet transplants, she has maintained insulin independence since 2019. A retired educator with a background in science and mathematics, Mary-Anna is a proud mother who enjoys traveling. By sharing her journey, she aims to raise awareness of cell replacement therapies and encourage others in the T1D community.
Below is her journey.
1. Living with T1D
"It didn't just affect me. It affected family, friends… There was no spontaneity.”
Running Time 1:09
"People don't … even know what to do with a diabetic."
Running Time 41s
“After my transplant, I was able to just drive her to her dance classes, not explain to her that mom can't drive because my blood sugar's too low."
Running Time 27s
2. Considering ITx
“It had been such a long time since insulin had been invented, and I wanted to be a part of taking those next steps and seeing where it could go.”
Running Time 1:06
"We weren't able really to live life. We went through the motions, but we were controlled by our diabetes."
Running Time 1:16
"None of us can predict the future, but what we can control is the present."
Running Time 2:29
3. The ITx Procedure
"The procedure has progressed [since 1999] from ... kind of a cowboy Western show to something much more refined and elegant, like a fine dance."
Running Time 3:48
4. Recovery & Results
“It gave me freedom mentally and physically from all the stuff that I had to deal with being a type 1 diabetic.”
Running Time 55s
5. Sum it Up in One Word
“Freedom”
Running Time 44s