Life
Greetings! My name is Allison Blass. I started Lemonade Life in the summer of 2005 to chronicle my life as a twentysomething living with diabetes. The title of the blog comes from my life philosophy: “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!” and I’ve tried to do just that.
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in January 1994 when I was 8 years old. With guidance from my parents, I had a normal, well-adjusted childhood filled with sleepovers parties, field trips and school dances.
Inspired by other kids with diabetes, I decided to help support finding a cure and in 2001, I traveled to Washington D.C. to lobby Congress for more research funding as part of JDRF’s Children’s Congress. My “diabetes resume” also includes founding CureNow, a research and advocacy website; launching Teen Talk @ Diabetes Station, the first ever chat exclusively for teens with diabetes; and founding DiabetesTeenTalk.com, a website for teens with diabetes, now owned by dLife.
I am also a freelance writer, having written for Diabetes Health and Diabetes Self-Management. I currently moderate the successful Bloggers Round Table Series at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation website.
With Carson Kressley
I’m a bit of a social media maven. When I’m not writing Lemonade Life, I work as a digital public relations professional at a PR agency in the New York City area. Basically my job is to help my clients tell their story online, whether that’s reaching out to bloggers or creating a corporate presence on a social network like Facebook. I work with some pretty exciting clients and sometimes I get a chance to meet celebs, like Carson Kressley! I spend a lot of time online, hanging out at places like Twitter, Flickr and Facebook.
Although I’m an East Coaster now, I was born and raised in Oregon. I consider myself bicoastal. I grew up with two loving parents and a younger brother, who is now a freshman in college. He does not have diabetes.
My passions include photography, travel and exploring New York City. I love museums, parks, going out to restaurants, bookstores, coffee shops and the theater. I am a Christian and I try to follow my faith the best I can.
I love meeting new people and I occasionally host meet-ups for people with diabetes. I would love to meet you! Drop me a line at amblass at gmail.com.
peace, love and hope for a cure,
Allison
(Updated: 12/1/08 )
Allison I miss chatting with you, Im glad I found the new blog. I hope the move went well.. hope we get to talk soon..
Ernie
Hi Allison. Impressive bio! How wonderful you started diabetes advocacy so early in your life! BTW, I submitted by blog to the OC Directory twice (a while ago) and haven’t heard anything back. Would you mind letting me know what I need to do to be added and how to make the final cut? My blog is http://amyliagrace.blogspot.com. You can email me at amyliagrace at yahoo dot com. Thanks, Allison!
Hey Allison
What year did you go to Children’s Congress?
I was a Children’s Congress delegate for NJ in 1999! It was a great experience, probably one of the best memories I have is singing “Promise to Remember Me” on the steps in front of the white house with over 100 kids/teens with diabetes!!
Dear Allison,
I’m thinking about getting a pump. All my other diabetic friends say their great but I’m still unsure. I could really use your advice and anyone elses. I’d really appreciate it!!!! And if anyone has any info. on them that would be great to know please fill me in!
I love the blogosphere… you pitched me about UA and now I see that you are a social media maven! In only a matter of minutes you can learn a lot about someone! I’ll be reading and welcome to the East Coast!
I love that you named you blog after that saying! I think it is such a positive to approach life (even though it may not seem very positive at first glance). Your dedication and positivity are truly admirable.