Episode Details

Stacey talks to Jeffrey Brewer, former head of JDRF, now CEO of Bigfoot Biomedical. We'll find out how he hopes to simplify diabetes management through technology and the story behind the Bigfoot name. Stacey also hears about a teenager's first trip away from home and how a diabetes connection on the road made a big difference. Plus, what to do this summer to make school better for your child with diabetes this fall.

Episode Transcription:

Stacey Simms 0:00 Hi, this is Stacey. Just a reminder my podcast is not intended as medical advice. I am not a doctor. If you have medical questions, please talk to your healthcare provider.

Announcer 0:13 This is Diabetes Connections with Stacey Simms.

Stacey Simms 0:17 This week, I'll talk to Jeffrey Brewer, the former president and CEO of JDRF. Now he's part of a new venture, Bigfoot Biomedical that aims to simplify life for people with Type One Diabetes.

Jeffrey Brewer 0:30 I pick up my smartphone, and I can contact people that I haven't seen in 20 years through Facebook instantaneously, I can press a button and have a car show up and take me anywhere I want within three minutes. And yet, if I'm looking for advice or help on self-dosing this dangerous drug called insulin, I'm completely and totally disconnected from the rest of the world. And that just seems crazy.

Stacey Simms 0:55 Plus, a school competition means the first time away from home for a teenager: 12 hours away for a whole week, a surprise diabetes connection makes a big difference.

Jennifer 1:05 She texted me and you know, I could hear the excitement, even in the text. She's like, "Mommy, announcer has Type One." And I'm like, "Are you kidding me?" I said, "How do you know?" She says, "You know, kind of sitting near him and I saw him announcing and I spotted a pump." And she was like, "Oh my god, one of me!"

Stacey Simms 1:21 And the most important thing you can teach your child with diabetes now, to make school easier in the fall. It all starts now on Diabetes Connections. My guest today is breaking new ground, the CEO of JDRF. Formerly, he left that group in 2014 and founded a new venture later that year. It's a diabetes technology startup called Bigfoot Biomedical. We will talk about the story behind the name. And I'm excited to talk to Jeffrey Brewer. Jeffrey, welcome to Diabetes Connections.

Jeffrey Brewer 1:54 Thanks very much. Thanks for having me.

Stacey Simms 1:56 Oh, it's great to talk to you, you know, I was on the board of our local JDRF chapter from 2007 until about 2013, when I cycled off. And of course, you heard your name so much before and after that, it's so nice to chat with you. Um, do you mind telling us your family's story? Your son, of course, has Type One, when he was diagnosed and how he's doing now?

Jeffrey Brewer 2:18 My son was diagnosed in 2002, September 19. For people affected by this disease, especially with children, you remember exactly when and where. We had just moved to New York City and my son was a couple weeks into a new school. And he was at that point, seven years old. Sean is now 20 years old. And so, we have been living and he has been living with this disease for over 13 years. And my involvement in various efforts and initiatives, starting with my volunteer work at JDRF. And then my service on the international board of directors and and then leading to my executive service as the CEO of JDRF for the last four years, all motivated by my desire to see that he lives the best, healthiest, and safest life. And I think there is a big opportunity that we have on the way to a cure for this disease, to improve life, health, and safety through the use of technology. And I've been pursuing that pretty aggressivel