Updated March 26, 2015.

The Man Behind The TuDiabetes Diabetes Community

Manny Hernandez is an internet-marketing specialist, social media expert, engineer, web product manager and also an endearing diabetes community leader. He is the founder, driving force, and cheerful face of TuDiabetes.

Manny has type 1.5 diabetes or LADA. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 2002 and immediately started to search the internet for information.

He read a story about diabetes discrimination in the New York Times, and said he felt called to use his talents to help the diabetes community.

The TuDiabetes Diabetes Community

Manny started TuDiabetes in 2007. It is a large and active online diabetes community. The site has been called "MySpace on insulin" and "Facebook for diabetics." It is a warm and welcoming community for all people with diabetes regardless of type.

Similar to other popular social media sites, members can have personal pages and upload pictures and videos. There are forums, groups, and blogs. The site offers information on resources and usually has fun and meaningful programs members are welcome to participate in. There is a Spanish version of the site offered, called EsTuDiabetes.

The expressed goals of this diabetes community site are to offer community support, awareness, communication, diversity, respect, creative expression, and transparency. That sounds like a tall order, but the site manages to pull it off.

It isn't very hard to find friends and get involved in discussions and programs.

Manny often posts fun and warm videos that are hard to resist smiling at. If you are looking for support and a diabetes community where others understand your diabetes-related struggles and accomplishments, give TuDiabetes a look.