Diabetes Nerd
Seriously? Another diabetes podcast? Yup. I couldn't help myself. In this podcast, we are breaking down diabetes cure research, insulin management tips, pump and CGM technology, other meds like GLP-1s, burnout, and inspiring stories.These are real conversations about life with diabetes. ABOUT THE HOST: Ginger Vieira has lived with type 1 diabetes since 1999. She is an author, advocate, journalist, content creator, and diabetes content marketing specialist. Over the years, she's published many books, including Every Day with Diabetes, Exercise with Type 1 Diabetes, Dealing with Diabetes Burnout, Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes, and more!Find more from Ginger at DiabetesNerd.com.
Mom Tests Infant for T1D Antibodies Despite Being Told "Don't Bother" by Doctors
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What if you thought something more was going on with your child, but your doctors said, "Don't bother with testing"? Would you stand your ground or follow their advice? This is a situation many parents face, especially when it comes to testing for type 1 diabetes (T1D) without a family history.
But the facts are that 95% of those diagnosed have no family history, which means testing is even more important. When it happened to Kenzi, here's what she and her family did.
Thanks for tuning in! ...
Here’s Why (and How) We Microdose Ozempic & Mounjaro with T1D
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Sixty-two percent of U.S. adults with type 1 diabetes are living with overweight or obesity. That’s nearly identical to the general population, according to a 2023 Johns Hopkins study published in Annals of Internal Medicine, and it shatters the old myth that T1D is a “thin person’s disease.” https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/overweight-and-obesity-in-people-with-type-1-diabetes-nearly-same-as-general-population
So what’s going on? Part of the answer may be how we’ve been taught to manage T1D: treat the blood sugar with insulin and call it a day. But insulin isn’t the only hormo...
The Future of Implantable CGM Technology
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Most continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) need regular changes and careful upkeep. Eversense lasts a full year, which can be a relief for people dealing with skin irritation, accuracy concerns, and frequent sensor swaps.
On the latest episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, I talk with Brian Hansen, President of Senseonics' CGM division, and COO Mukul Jane about the Eversense 365-day implantable CGM.
We discuss the implanted sensor, removable transmitter, and optical technology behind its readings, along with what’s next and the company’s plans for a transmitter-free system.
...
T1D Cure Bait: Sernova CEO, Jonathan Rigby, Says It's Not Being Kept from You
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Insulin and diabetes technology help people manage type 1 diabetes (T1D), but what would it take to go beyond management?
In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, I talk with Sernova CEO Jonathan Rigby, who has lived with T1D for more than 40 years. We discuss the company’s implantable cell pouch and its effort to create a functional cure.
Rigby explains how the approach works, what challenges remain, and why he believes the future of treatment may look very different.
Learn more about Sernova's work he...
How to Get What You Need with Type 1 Diabetes
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I’ve spent years learning how to speak up for the diabetes care I need—and I know how frustrating it can be when a provider or insurance company says no.
In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, I talk with Lily Mees and Paola Acevedo about how people with diabetes can advocate for themselves and navigate a complicated healthcare system. We discuss preparing for appointments, asking clear questions, finding a care team that listens, and what to do when insurance denies a medication or device.
Lily shares why...
Curing Type 1 Diabetes: Real Science with Seraxis CEO, Will Rust
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"A cure is five years away."
If you've lived with type 1 diabetes for any length of time, you've heard it. Maybe at diagnosis, maybe from a well-meaning doctor, maybe on repeat for decades. Then five years pass, and five more, and the question gets harder to ignore: where is it?
That frustration is fair. So is the skepticism. But Seraxis CEO Will Rust believes we are closer to a cure for T1D than we've ever been, and he makes his case in this episode.
We dig...
The Stress of Watching People with T1D Get Cured
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In this episode of The Diabetes Nerd Podcast, Tara Mayo and I talk with Dr. Beth Braun about the parts of type 1 diabetes (T1D) that people rarely see.
Beth shares what it’s like to hit 40 mg/dL twice in one night, how severe lows can affect the body and mind long after they’re treated, and why people with diabetes need support instead of judgment.
Watch this episode for an honest conversation about diabetes burnout, relationships, self-advocacy, cure research, and the emotional work of managing blood sugar every...
No Bullsh*t: What T1D Resilience Actually Means
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Living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) requires resilience every day. In this episode, I speak with therapist Lacee Musgrove about diabetes burnout, anxiety, self-compassion, perfectionism, and the pressure to manage everything perfectly.
We discuss how to navigate difficult moments, learn from mistakes, ask for help, and recognize the strength people with type 1 diabetes already have.
Lacee also shares how parents can support children and teens with more connection and less shame. I think we could all use more of that.
What's something about chronic illness resilience you're t...
This Guy Has Tried Nearly Every Insulin Pump
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Today, I’m sitting down with Justin Eastzer, better known online as @diabe_tech, to talk about something I think many people with diabetes can relate to: figuring out what actually works for YOU!
Justin knows a lot about diabetes technology, but this conversation goes beyond insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). In this special episode, we talk about the trial and error that comes with using these devices, working with your diabetes educator, dealing with frequent lows, and learning to recognize what your own body is...
Nobody Warned Us That T1D Would Screw Up Our Relationship With Food
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Can diabetes change your relationship with food without you even realizing it?
In this episode, I’m joined by registered dietitian and certified eating disorder specialist Lauren Newman to talk about the side of diabetes care that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough: when managing blood sugar starts affecting how you eat, think about food, and feel about your body.
We talk about food guilt, fear of carbs, restrictive food rules, binge cycles, compulsive exercise, insulin omission, insulin stacking to “earn” food, and the pressure to chase a perfect CGM grap...
My Sleep Data Changed Everything About My Diabetes
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Sleep, blood sugar management, and recovery are more connected than most people realize. Especially when you live with a chronic illness like type 1 diabetes (T1D)!
In this episode, I talk with Josh Webb about what a year of wearable data can reveal about T1D, overnight blood sugars, and the patterns that shape the next day.
We break down how sleep quality, heart rate, recovery, and activity may influence blood sugar stability, and why more personalized diabetes management could change the way we make decisions.
If y...
Restricting Insulin Nearly Killed Her but This Saved Her Life
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SENSITIVE TOPIC WARNING: This episode discusses disordered eating, insulin restriction, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). If you or someone you love is struggling with disordered eating or insulin restriction, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional.
Insulin restriction is not a safe or effective method for weight loss. It can lead to severe hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), DKA, hospitalization, and life-threatening complications and should never be encouraged as a weight-loss strategy.
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In this episode of The Diabetes Nerd Podcast, I sit down with Carly...
Exercising Without Lows: We Do It This Way!
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Most people believe exercising in a fasted state with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is dangerous, but I know that's not the whole story!
In this episode, Sami Parker and I break down how we make fasted workouts work without living in fear of lows or highs. If you are tired of workout advice that feels too cautious, too vague, or just plain wrong, this conversation is for you.
Sami, a registered nurse (RN) and personal trainer with 14 years of T1D experience, shares her simple approach to...
This is the Real Secret to Losing Weight with T1D
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Most people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) struggle not just with blood sugar management, but with weight loss and sustainable health habits—and too many are left to figure it out alone.
In this episode, Leanne Matthews and I get real about what actually makes T1D weight management so hard, and why quick fixes keep falling apart.
We talk about fear of lows, unpredictable insulin needs, and the truth about building a routine that lasts. There are no magic tricks when it comes to weight loss, just the pr...
Carbohydrate Science You Never Knew
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High blood sugar doesn’t just affect your body—it may also quietly shape brain health, memory, and energy.
In this episode, I speak with Dr. John Lewis about the surprising ways chronically elevated blood sugar may impact the brain, including the science behind “caramelizing the brain,” neuroplasticity, brain fog, and the afternoon crash.
Together, we explore the connections between diabetes, sleep, inflammation, and dementia, along with practical nutrition ideas and a broader conversation about how everyday choices can support long-term brain health.
Thanks for tuning in! <...
The Diabetes App That Fills the Gaps Left by Your CGM & Pump
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If you've ever wished your CGM or insulin pump could do just a little more, this episode is for you.
I'm joined by Greg Badros, founder of Gluroo and father of a son with type 1 diabetes, to talk about how he built an app to fill the gaps left by today's diabetes technology.
Together, we dive into everything from logging meals, exercise, insulin, and low treatments to identifying patterns that can help you better understand what's affecting your blood sugar day-to-day.
We also talk about how Gluroo...
Who Makes Money From a Diabetes Cure?
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What does the stock market have to do with curing type 1 diabetes?
Actually...a lot.
In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, my friend Julia Flaherty joins me to pull back the curtain on the business side of diabetes research. We talk about how biotech companies raise money, why investors get excited about clinical trial results, what happens when a company gets acquired, and why so many people living with T1D are becoming shareholders themselves.
If you've ever wondered why a company's stock...
T1D Scientist Explains Why Curing 12 Patients Isn't Enough
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WATCH PART 1—Former Biotech Scientist with T1D Explains Why Eledon’s Therapy Isn’t the Universal Cure: https://youtu.be/WxKdbNhQ4GU WATCH PART 2—T1D Scientist Explains Why Curing 12 Patients Isn't Enough: https://youtu.be/QFIAauTz7PIWhat would a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) actually look like, and when might it be available? These are pressing questions within the diabetes community following recent Eledon trial news. People are beginning to be cured. But when will this become a reality for the many?
In this speci...
T1D Scientist Explains Why Eledon’s Therapy Isn’t the Universal Cure
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WATCH PART 1—Former Biotech Scientist with T1D Explains Why Eledon’s Therapy Isn’t the Universal Cure: https://youtu.be/WxKdbNhQ4GU WATCH PART 2—T1D Scientist Explains Why Curing 12 Patients Isn't Enough: https://youtu.be/QFIAauTz7PIWhat would a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) actually look like, and when might it be available? These are pressing questions within the diabetes community following recent Eledon trial news. People are beginning to be cured. But when will this become a reality for the many?
In this speci...
He’s Off Mealtime Insulin: Here’s His Tzield Story
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What if a newly diagnosed person with type 1 diabetes (T1D) could dramatically reduce their insulin needs, or even stop taking mealtime insulin altogether?
In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, we sit down with Jacob, who was diagnosed with T1D in February 2026 and enrolled in the Beta Preserve clinical trial just weeks later. The study is exploring whether two rounds of Tzield (teplizumab) can preserve insulin-producing beta cells more effectively than a single treatment.
Just months after beginning treatment, Jacob has cut his basal insulin by...
The Real Story Behind Automated Insulin Pumps: Patients Built It First
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What if diabetes technology could do most of the work for you?
In this episode, Chris Wilson shares how the DIY diabetes community has spent years pushing insulin-delivery technology beyond its limits, helping to shape the future of automated diabetes management.
From early CGM hacks to advanced algorithms that can learn insulin needs with minimal input, Chris explains how grassroots innovation continues to influence the tools people with type 1 diabetes use today.
We discuss:
• The origins of the "We Are Not Waiting" movement
• How...
Eledon's Type 1 Diabetes Cure: What's Fact and What's Fiction?
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We can be excited and practical at the same time. It's important to look beyond the headlines at the specific challenges within any clinical trial aiming to cure type 1 diabetes.
Recently, I've been accused of "smearing" the Eledon study because I've explained that—even though the results are extraordinary—this therapy is still a long way from becoming a cure that's available to thousands, let alone millions, of people living with type 1 diabetes.
So today, I sat down with someone who knows this therapy better than almost anyone:
Katie...The Truth About Insulin Pump Transitions (Don't Make These Mistakes)
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Most people with diabetes (PWD) struggle with insulin pump transitions, but expert Maressa Spohn reveals if you're doing it right, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that could cost you control and peace of mind.
If you’re considering an insulin pump or have recently switched, this episode is your essential guide to mastering the move and thriving with technology.
Diagnosed at age three, Marissa Spohn has lived with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for over 35 years. She knows what works and what doesn’t when it comes to pump...
Parenting a T1D Teen Without Becoming the ‘Blood Sugar Police’
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Managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) during the teen years can feel like a constant balancing act. In this episode, Yale pediatric endocrinologist and person living with T1D, Dr. Laura Nally, shares practical strategies to help parents support their teens with more confidence and less conflict.
Learn why blood sugar responses to exercise aren't one-size-fits-all, how nutrition and physical activity work together, and what parents can do to help teens build independence while staying safe. Dr. Nally discusses her research on exercise and diabetes, including how identifying individual patterns can lead...
Do GLP-1s Actually Make Sense for Type 1 Diabetes?!
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Most people think managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) is just about insulin and carbs, but what if there's a powerful tool you're missing that could reduce your insulin needs and stabilize blood sugar?
Amy Wolk, a longtime pediatric diabetes educator and a person living with T1D for nearly 57 years, shares her surprising journey with microdosing GLP-1s, including Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Her experience might just revolutionize how you think about insulin resistance, weight management, and the future of diabetes care.
Amy shares real-world stories fr...
Award-winning Bluegrass Musician Talks T1D Craziness on Tour
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Most people don't realize how much physical and emotional resilience it takes to perform with type 1 diabetes, especially on the road. Carolyn Routh, award-winning bluegrass musician and longtime T1D warrior, reveals the raw truths behind managing blood sugar levels during a live show, amid unpredictable travel schedules, and the emotional toll of lows and highs in the spotlight.
During this Diabetes Nerd Podcast episode, you’ll discover the surprising ways she keeps her blood sugar in check during performances, how...
Diabetes Burnout? No, We Have Diabetes Disgust.
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Content creators who only show their best moments with type 1 diabetes (T1D)? Unhelpful.
Healthcare systems that mistakenly diagnose you with type 2 diabetes (T2D) because you're older or live in a bigger body? Horrifying.
Having to get up in the middle of the night to treat a low? Over it.
We are so, so over it.
Living with type 1, that is.
How do you navigate burnout when the world of diabetes or your world with diabetes just feels like it's too much? In...
Will This New Short Film Finally Get T1D Right in the Movies?!
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In this special episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, I sit down with the creators of the short film "My Type," which shines a spotlight on a romance involving type 1 diabetes (T1D). Could this short film finally get what "Steel Magnolias" got oh-so-wrong about T1D?
This film creator's later-in-life diagnosis may have just inspired a movement...
Thanks to Eversense for sponsoring the Diabetes Nerd Podcast. Eversense is home to the world's only 365-day CGM. See if it's right for you at eversensecgm.com.
He Ran an Ultra-marathon with T1D
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In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, we chat with Brian Foster as he shatters the myth that type 1 diabetes (T1D) limits ultra-distance running. Discover his strategies for managing blood sugars during grueling events and learn how he conquers endurance challenges. This episode is a can't-miss for T1D athletes and adventurers eager to redefine what's possible with diabetes!
Thanks for tuning in. Thanks to Eversense for sponsoring the Diabetes Nerd Podcast. Eversense is home to the world's only 365-Day CGM. See if Eversense is right for you at <...
He's Been Cured After 36 Years with T1D
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Can you imagine waking up one day and no longer needing insulin? No longer worrying about how many carbs are in a meal? No longer fretting over whether you'll go low during exercise? No longer overthinking every little thing because of type 1 diabetes (T1D)?
It sounds nice, but it also feels unimaginable to most people.
But not Chris Pacheco—he's living proof that a cure is on its way. (It might already be here!) After 36 years of living with T1D, Chris no longer has to live the sam...
Truth About Upgrading to the Twiist Sequel
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Most people with diabetes don’t realize how dramatically technology can improve blood sugar management until they experience it firsthand.
Sami Parker, a pediatric registered nurse (RN) living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for 13 years, shares how switching to the Sequel Twiist insulin pump and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), such as the Freestyle Libre 3+, has transformed her daily life and improved her blood sugar stability.
In this episode, Sami recounts her journey from being anti-pumper to loving her Twiist insulin pump, thanks to its unmatched accuracy, occlusion detection, and cus...
3 Months Later: Is She Still Cured of Type 1 Diabetes?
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Before Katie Beth Hand was cured of type 1 diabetes (T1D), she carefully evaluated everything before each meal. Over the course of 13 years living with T1D, she had to make at least 200 extra decisions per day about simple tasks like eating, exercising, and sleeping.
But today, the only thing she has to worry about at mealtime is "what looks good?" This feels unimaginable to people with T1D—a true mic drop moment—but Katie is charting new territory.
In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podc...
How an Abusive Relationship Wrecked My Blood Sugars
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Topic Sensitivity Warning: This episode shares a story of surviving an abusive relationship and how it affected diabetes management. If this topic feels close to home, please take care of yourself while listening.
Managing type 1 diabetes is hard enough on its own. But when you’re surviving an emotionally abusive relationship, the stress doesn’t stay neatly tucked away in the background. It spills into everything—including your blood sugars.
In this episode, I share what it was like t...
This Could Help You Change Everything You’re Struggling with Diabetes
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Made a mistake with your insulin dose?
Not a failure.
Figured out your current diabetes routine isn't working for you?
Also, not a failure.
Changed up your diabetes care team?
Also, not a failure.
SPOILER: These are all opportunities for growth. They're lessons learned. They're not reasons to bring yourself down with diabetes.
Diabetes already comes with enough pressure. We don't need more from ourselves! In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, we unlock a key takeaway: "shame motivates...
“I Need Help!” Mom of 2 Kids with T1D Called 911
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If you're the parent of a child or children with type 1 diabetes (T1D), this is one episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast you won't want to miss. Today, we sit down with Kylie Grimes, whose story made headlines when People Magazine reported that "she called 911 on herself."
What actually happened, and what did Kylie learn from it? Find out when you tune in.
Thanks to Eversense for sponsoring the Diabetes Nerd Podcast. See if Eversense is the right CGM...
The Truth About GLP-1 Drugs and Sudden Vision Loss
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You've heard the rumors... "GLP-1s are causing blindness." But have you heard the science? Have you listened to your doctors? Have you read the research?
In this important episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, we chat with the one and only Dr. Robert Gabbay, MD, PhD, FACP, (Harvard Medical School) to clear things up once and for all.
If you're using a GLP-1 while living with diabetes, don't miss this!
Thanks to Eversense for sponsoring the podcast...
When Type 1 Diabetes Turns Into Obsessive Thoughts
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What happens when managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) starts to turn into obsessive thoughts?
Where is the line between responsible diabetes care and when OCD begins to creep in?
In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, we sit down with Natalia from Kairos Wellness Collective to talk about the often-overlooked connection between T1D and OCD. Living with T1D requires constant attention, decision-making, and number checking.
For some people, that mental load can begin to overlap...
She Skipped Her Insulin in Her 20s: Here's What Happened 10 Years Later
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In this deeply honest episode of the Diabetes Nerd podcast, Ginger sits down with Mary Ann Chamberlain to talk about a chapter of diabetes that doesn’t get discussed enough.
In her 20s, Mary Ann struggled to take her insulin consistently. Not because she didn’t “know better" or didn’t care. It was because the mental weight of type 1 diabetes (T1D) was too heavy.
Years later, that chapter caught up with her in the form of diabetic retinopathy and visi...
Using Pig Cells to Cure Type 1 Diabetes Without Immunosuppression
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In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, we speak with special guest Michael Revland, who took part in a groundbreaking pig islet cell transplant trial, OPF-310. Conducted at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System in Chicago, the trial tested pig islets transplanted into a protective encapsulation device. These islet cells may offer an unlimited supply of insulin-producing cells.
During our chat, we explored Michael’s experiences in the initial months, his participation in the trial, his current insulin needs, an...
Nearly Cured of Type 1 Diabetes: One Woman’s Journey in the Eledon Trial
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In this week's very special episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, we chat with Katie Beth Hand, who shares her experience with the Elodon clinical trial.
Katie Beth is a participant in Eledon Pharmaceuticals' clinical trial using an ANTI-CD40L therapy known as tegoprubart. This groundbreaking therapy is a very targeted immunosuppressant that blocks a specific signal in the immune system, rather than suppressing your entire immune system.
One month ago, Katie received a transfusion to implant cadaver islet cells. Today, she's only taking a few units of rapid-acting i...
