Taking Control Of Your Diabetes (TCOYD)

Since 1995, Taking Control Of Your Diabetes has been transforming the way people from around the world live with diabetes by encouraging them to take a more active role in their condition through education, motivation, empowerment and humor. The creation of TCOYD started out as a desire for more. Founder and Director Dr. Steve Edelman, a type 1 himself, wanted to bring diabetes education directly to those most affected by it, the people living with diabetes. He became an endocrinologist with the goal of providing education, motivation, and empowerment to help the diabetes community understand that people living with diabetes can live a happy, healthy life. He then joined forces with Sandra Bourdette, who at the time was a pharmaceutical rep, to bring the vision to life and to help launch the not-for-profit, Taking Control Of Your Diabetes. TCOYD began in Sandy’s small beach cottage in Del Mar, California but set its sights on doing big things. In 1995 TCOYD hosted its first conference at the San Diego Convention Center. This event set a new standard for cutting-edge education, humorous presentation styles, and opening communication lines with patients—and sent ripples throughout the diabetes community. The San Diego conference became the flagship program for TCOYD, which over the last 25 years has expanded into both in-person and virtual international events reaching over 500,000 people from over 100 countries and all 50 states. In 2005 TCOYD launched its continuing medical education program for healthcare professionals providing cutting-edge education on the most up-to-date care and management strategies presented by world-class key opinion leaders to healthcare professions. TCOYD has continued to grow its CME program hosting both in-person and virtual events in a variety of educational and interactive formats to healthcare professionals from around the world. Through one-of-a-kind conferences, interactive online programs, a content-rich website full of expertly-produced videos and informative articles, and supportive online community groups, TCOYD has become the go-to resource for the diabetes community. Founder Dr. Steve Edelman has always made sure to keep it light and entertaining in order to make a difficult subject palatable. His unique approach to humor, incorporated by the thousands of expert TCOYD speakers, has defined the TCOYD experience and set the organization apart. The TCOYD mission, experience, and way of life gives every person affected with diabetes the freedom to have fun, take control, and be you!