After I got Diabetic Echoes up and running as a website, I noticed that my college campus needed a place for diabetics and those interested in diabetes. So I went about setting up the organization with my campus. It was a long process, which took careful planning and creativity.

The group started last semester with four members including myself. We met every other week to prepare for this semester, talk about the JDRF Walk, and discuss things that were happening in our diabetes lives. Finding other members proved difficult, although I wasn't ready to give up just yet (after all, we raised over $1000 for the JDRF Walk).

But this semester has taken a different start. My original four members are down to two. I've put out fliers, sent out emails, and posted on every website I can find. Yet bringing in new members is still an arduous task. And keeping the old members is becoming a major feat as well between my member's tutoring sessions and attempts to keep up grades.

On Wednesday, we're having a Spring party to kick the semester off. Yet all my members are cancelling and new members are few and far between. I'm baffled that they can't find the time to join the group. Whatever happened to the bond that we all share?

I remember a few years ago when I'd find another diabetic. It was like Christmas in the form of a new best friend. Diabetes was always a lasting connection. For the longest time, my best friend was a diabetic. Then the best friend that replaced her had a diabetic sister. It's a similar list for the years after that.

So what happened to the bond that can't be broken? When did diabetes become so commonplace that we don't stick together anymore? Is it because so many are diabetic now? Maybe diabetes isn't as difficult to manage and find support for anymore. Does anyone want a cure?

I can't imagine that the search for a cure is lost on the college kids that I'm around. And I can't believe that every diabetic need is met in their life. But somehow, they aren't supporting the mission in my college group. So much for the diabetes mafia.