It all started in November  2006 and I am amazed at how far we have come and how many lives we have impacted! We began as a group of people with diabetes in their lives who wanted to do something different to raise diabetes awareness. For some it was a challenge, for some it was a fantasy come true, for all it was a very public display of love. The tattoos here are as permanent in our lives as diabetes is. Please enjoy the art, love the stories and share your own if you can.   

I just had to send a note and let you know how COOL it is to see these pics on a site for diabetes...thanks for inspiring!!!!  Kim S.

For Liam...the tattoo that started it all

November is Diabetes Awareness Month.  Within 4 years, there will be over 3 million Canadians living with this disease. One of those people is my son.  Liam was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the ripe old age of two.  Every day I strive to keep him as healthy as possible.  Every day I work to ensure that he is just like any other nine year old boy. 

Liam isn’t just like any other nine year old boy however.  That is one of the reasons that I created the online community called Diabetes Advocacy (www.diabetesadvocacy.com ).  Each year Diabetes Advocacy has done its bit to increase awareness of diabetes and diabetes related issues in this country.  We have sent out calendars filled with people living with diabetes and have created booklets filled with their stories.  This year we have taken awareness to a new level. 

Across North America—from Newfoundland to California, people have come together through Diabetes Advocacy with one common goal.  They have decided to have a tattoo done to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes. Yesterday, I had mine done.  

No one in my immediate family had a clue that I was even considering this.  My oldest son was shocked.  My youngest told me I took after him and was tough! Despite the shock, the reaction has been the same—Wow! 

I would like to thank Bernard at Peek-a-Boo Tattoos in Stephenville for creating a true work of art and a picture of love. The tattoo you see below was created by him from a very rough concept I brought to him. He created two hearts for my two children—equal in my love.  He added a touch of color that reflected their birthstones.  He kept hues soft and loving. The ribbons are grey and in Liam’s case, end in the Diabetes Awareness ribbon.  His heart also shows the drop of blood that he must part with every time he eats and plays so that we can ensure his blood glucose level is okay. The fit is perfect to my shoulder.  The concept is perfect to my heart.  

When you see my tattoo,  please ask questions. I would love to tell you about the love and the fear that sits on my shoulder.  If you notice the tattoo was placed over my left shoulder so that the two things dearest to my heart will always be there—my boys and this dreaded disease.

For Aimee

For Andrew

Hi, I wanted to share a picture of my Diabetes tattoo for your site.  I was diagnosed about 1.5 years ago putting an end to a my flight career.  I decided I didn't like med alert bracelets and I was going to look into a tattoo.  After looking at your site for inspiration I made up a design and here is the end product.  Thanks you!  Andrew, Utah

For Bobbie

Bobbie is 29 years old and recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

For Brad

Hello, I've been diabetic for about 23 years now. I am an electrician and can not wear jewellery of any kind while at work. I have broken and lost so many chains and medic alert pendants over the years its ridiculous. I wanted my daughter in law to create a leather type chain to wear around my neck for a medic alert pendent when she suggested I get a tattoo instead. Never have to worry about loosing or forgetting to put on anything again !! After a variety of different designs and a GREAT tattoo artist, HERE IT IS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

For Brian

For Brody

My son Brody was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in September 2007 at the ripe ol’ age of 7.  A total shock to us as it was found during a basketball physical.  It has totally turned our lives around as now we are experts in carb-counting, blood sugar checks, insulin, needles, etc.  He has been so brave and I am so proud of him for dealing with it like he has.  He is my inspiration which is why I decided to get a tattoo in honor of him and all the children living with this awful disease.  It is the “Children with Diabetes” ribbon inside his zodiac sign “Gemini”

For Colin

Colin was inspired by our page to get his own tattoo done! "I got this tattoo a couple of weeks ago.  It turned out great and I am pleased with it.  Hopefully it remains legible.  I was done by Tim Forbus at Incognito in Pasadena CA.  Make sure your ignorant boss knows that it is a medical alert and not for Fun or something..."

For Craige

  I am a type 2 diabetic and wanted to share my tattoo. I am a strong advocate of the American Diabetes Association and want to promote their cause and awareness.   ~Craige

For Cindy

For David

My wife has literally saved my life.  She alerted me to all my diabetic symptoms and begged me to get checked.  I relented after about 3 years(yes, I can be dense at times). After a 14 hour fast, my blood glucose level was 675, and when my A1C was checked, it was beyond 14%.  after about 4 years on oral meds, my pancreas finally died, and am now insulin dependant.  Instead of buying and losing one necklace or bracelet after another, I finally got a tattoo on my right forearm.  And I think he did an excellent job...much MUCH better than the design I gave him.

For Elizabeth

I have been a diabetic for 19 years now and I thought since I'm allergic to metal around my neck and wrists I might as well get the medical symbol stating that I'm a diabetic. I was rushed to the Emergency Room back in Sept 2008 and if my sister wasn't there the paramedics and doctors would not have had any idea to test my blood sugar and to rush with me due to me going into a DKA.   Elizabeth

For Ellen

Ellen's mom recently sent her daughter off to university. Among the tools she sent to help her with her diabetes management was the address to this website. Much to Ellen's mother's dismay, she was inspired to have "diabetic" tattooed on her wrist..."So my mom informed you of my new tattoo ! lol ! It's amazing I feel really inspired having it. Believe it or not its just like a constant reminder to do the things I sometimes forget to do, its better having a tattoo remind you than a parent sometimes lol ! Its great to not wear a medical bracelet, my wrist feels so free !" Ellen W

For Gail...another of the first group to get diabetes tattoos

Tonight went well...although I would NOT recommend to anyone they get their shoulder tattooed. IT HURT! Now some might say "duh", but honestly my lower back tattoo didn't hurt AT ALL- this one....good thing there were other people there watching so I kept being brave....OUCH. Now after I had my shower this evening it felt a lot better being rinsed off and cleaned- but remind me next time I mention doing this what this one felt like...all for Gail. The things we do for our kids (lol) Everything went really good- the television people didn't go- thank goodness. I think I was more nervous about them being there than anything, BUT the newspaper WAS- and they took about 50 pictures so who can tell what will end up in the paper.

For Jdlosh

For Jayde

This tattoo was done at Hosstyle Tattoos in Fredericton, NB by Hoss Locke.  My daughter Jayde Kasia was diagnosed in November of 1996.  Gina M, Boiestown, NB

For Jocelyn

I got mine in case I ever am without my medical ID.  I feel much safer having it permanently on my body.  I am a Type 1.

For Kavan

Kavan was diagnosed in October 2009 with Type 1 diabetes.  He always disliked wearing jewellery so his doctor mentioned another patient who had a tattoo done instead.  Kavan found Diabetes Advocacy while looking for ideas and headed to Evolution Tattoo in Santa Rosa, CA to have the tattoo done.  Po, a Taiwanese artist did the work.  He did not know what diabetes was until Kavan explained that his body does not process sugar and Po realized that his good friend had the same condition!  Kavan has noticed that within the first day of having his tattoo people already recognize it and an EMT friend of his said it was definitely has good as a bracelet of necklace.

Kim's Medical Bracelet

  Kim didn't like any of the medical bracelets out there so she checked out our Tattoo page and decided that this was the way for her to wear her medical bracelet!

For Kody

My son Kody was diagnosed last year at the age of 6. It changed our lives forever. Most people don't realize the sacrifice children and adults make daily with this affliction. Kody is so brave he has already learned to test and give himself injections in less than a year. He held us, his parents, together when we didn't know what to do. My tattoo is of both of my boys, but Kody did the colors and final dragon design. He is an awesome artist and I wanted to do something that showed my kids will always be supported by me but showed the strength they have no matter what they face. Every time everyone asks, I give them the story so they know how serious type 1 diabetes is.  Jason, Kody's Dad

Jason's latest tattoo for Kody...

Ring is the diabetic logo ring. Nautical star is for good luck in our travels/future. Medical Alert Symbol, because it is with us forever now. Date on the left is Kody’s Birthday. Date on the right is Kody’s DX date. Both dates are dates my life changed forever! Type 1 son says it all.

For Libby, Alex and Tom

Based on Liam's tattoo, Darlene had this shoulder tattoo done for her family in November 2007. A work of art...a work of love. Thank you again for sharing with us!

Libby's Tattoo

Libby's tattoo, her design, the stars are her parent's birthstones

For Lindsay

  Hi! My name is Lindsay and I am 24 years old; I was diagnosed 15 years ago with type 1 diabetes and have worn a medical alert bracelet every day since then...that is until this week when I got my medi-alert tattoo! I designed it myself on the computer and got it inked at a shop in Ithaca, NY. I also wanted to thank the people responsible for putting together this site; this is the place where I found the inspiration to get my own tattoo!

For Mark

For Nicole

My name is Nicole and I am a 21yo nursing student. My thought was, you’d never loose a tattoo, unlike a bracelet or necklace, there is no breeding ground for bacteria, and in case of an “upset patient”, you wouldn’t get it ripped off, or get caught on machinery. I was diagnoses with diabetes in 1999. I just wanted to show my tat to others, and inform them that medical identification tats are becoming more common.
 
Don't just look for a bracelet anymore!

For Nina

I’ve been diabetic for 12 years. 2 years ago I had to start using insulin and I decided that I needed a way to communicate when I couldn’t.

Around September 2008, I saw a diabetic medical alert bracelet as a sample tattoo and I thought – brilliant. I went in and got inked. 

The tattoo gal told me that she had a friend who’s diabetic and he’s a big man. He had been at a sports even and got sick – and two security guards assumed he was drunk and decided to take down the big guy. In the fight, his bracelet was torn off – he was later able to successfully sue the stadium – but he was determined to never have that happen again – so he asked her to tattoo his wrist. 

I have found that when I have felt ill, it does make people more helpful and less judgmental . As a bonus, whenever there’s a potluck at work, I find it a lot easier to pass on food treats that I shouldn’t have because people are aware of the tattoo and they will comment on it.

So, safety and behavior modification!

For Peyton

My son Peyton was just diagnosed as pre-diabetic on January 5 of 2010, three weeks before his 4th birthday. The specialist says his pancreas is failing and there is nothing we can do to stop it. I feel so helpless for my son so I support diabetes research with my newest tattoo of the ribbon butterfly

For Savannah...Stillborn child of Mindy King and Ryan Spenser due to Mindy's diabetes

For Stephanie's Mother

I lost my mom due to complications of diabetes on December of 2008. I hope they continue to search for a cure.....Stephanie V

For Stuart

This is my tattoo I got in July of 08.  I am 19 and I was diagnosed when I was 16 months old.  I have pretty tight control and am still very active, I am a college football player and I don't let diabetes interfere with the sport I love.  I got the tattoo so that in the case of emergency paramedics could see that I'm a diabetic and then take the appropriate action.  Since I've had it I realize that not a lot of people know what diabetes is so the tattoo helps me to educate those around me about the disease.

For Zakk and Isabella...another of the original diabetes awareness tattoos.

Other Tattoos:

Please share your tattoo and story with us.

Designs for your viewing and use:

I have recently been diagnosed as  a Type 1 diabetic. I have given some thought to getting some ink for several reasons. As I have a friend that is a paramedic he told me that when they are confronted with a unconscious person they typically follow the same protocol and give then a cocktail designed to counter act any narcotics on board and glucose/sugar. I have also read some post by paramedics that actually look for tats and other signs, My biggest concern however is if I end up in the ER if I have something identifying me as I diabetic it could only help. I am in construction and find my self in many situations that jewelry is prohibited. As many of you may already know the walls in the tattoo shops aren't exactly filled with choices for our specific needs so I have drawn a few ideas I would like to share and possible get some input. Also if anyone was looking for ideas you are free to use any of these. Thank you, Richard White 

To protect identities, only first names have been used. All of those involved in this project have provided Diabetes Advocacy with written consent to use their stories. No names or stories can be borrowed or used without the express written consent of Diabetes Advocacy and those parties involved. Diabetes Advocacy does NOT sell names, mailing lists or other information regarding those who share their information with us