Working Women of the ADA:
Three Paths, One Passion
by ALLISON MONTEITH
When most people think of employees
at the American Diabetes
Association, they assume they are “diabetes
educators.” Although each
employee is well trained and educated
in disease, most employees rely on
medical professional volunteers to truly
discuss diabetes with the general public,
while the employees are busy raising
awareness and funds to find a cure.
But take a closer look at some employees,
and you will discover they are more
than just “training” on the disease, they
know firsthand what living with diabetes
means.
Within the Central and South Texas offices there are three
hard-working women that fit this profile. Meet Jenny Pfeffer,
associate manager in Austin; Erica Rougeau, director in the
San Antonio office; and Amanda Yarbough, a manager in the
Austin office. Not only do they all live each day with type 1
diabetes (which affects only 5-10 percent of the diabetic population),
they all have the pleasure of coordinating the Tour
de Cure cycling event that is held yearly from San Antonio to
Austin. While the type of diabetes shouldn’t necessarily separate
one from the masses, it provides a mutual bond for
these three women that boosts their teamwork and fuels
their passion for the ultimate cause.
“It’s awesome working with others who are affected,” says
Pfeffer. “We’re so in sync, and it’s really cool because each one
helps the other stay involved, committed and motivated.”
Rougeau couldn’t agree more. She recently received an excited
text message from Yarbrough, “Hey! I’m going on the [diabetes
insulin] pump! I just got my sensor and the needle is huge!”
“We support each
other in and outside of
work,” says Rougeau. “It’s that diabetes connection.”
However, because
of the uniqueness of
each diabetes case, it’s
no surprise that three
different stories paved
the paths toward these
women’s shared vocation.
At 36, shortly after
the birth of her now 7-
year-old son, Pfeffer
was rushed to the hospital for blood-sugar complications.
She was then diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Just 18 months
later, Pfeffer accomplished what she thought was impossible,
completing her first two-day Tour de Cure. “I never thought
I could do it,” says Pfeffer, “but it was a very empowering
experience that proved I shouldn’t let this disease prevent
me from doing anything.”
Pfeffer soon became an active volunteer for the Tour de
Cure, and joined the staff as a full-time employee in
January of this year. In charge of rider recruitment, marketing
and the many aspects of the Tour’s Day Two
activities, Pfeffer went from a casual rider to a committed
Tour de Cure coordinator.
In the midst of her junior year at Texas State
University, Rougeau was completing a summer business
internship in France. After falling ill, she returned home
only to find out the virus had caused her to have an autoimmune
reaction. This reaction caused her body to attack her
pancreas, leaving her with the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
At the age of 21 it was a complete surprise to this athletic
and active college co-ed to have a disease that was untraceable
even to her distant relatives. “When life deals you a new
and unexpected hand, you have to remind yourself that it’s in
God’s hands and trust in His master plan,” says Rougeau.
Rougeau didn’t let diabetes get in her way but instead
turned adversity into an opportunity. Combining her background
in business with her newfound passion for a cure, she
took a job with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,
which eventually led her to the ADA, where she has been
since 2005. “I am empathetic, not looking from the outside
in,” Rougeau says. “I am our target market!”
Yarbrough’s knowledge in the disease started at a very
young age. The daughter of two diabetics, she was very aware
of the daily challenges that can occur. She was in turn diagnosed
in the fourth grade. She was not about to let the disease
control her and went on to become a high school cheerleader,
a competitive dancer and even a cross-country runner.
As she was growing up, Yarbrough became very familiar
with the ADA. Her mother was a committed volunteer in East
Texas. It’s no surprise she has followed in her mother’s footsteps.
She soon joined the staff at the ADA in Austin and has
held many roles. She is now in charge of many events throughout
the year, including the Tour de Cure’s route logistics.
“It was always a dream to work for and support an organization
that I personally believed in,” says Yarbrough. “It
helps me strive harder to achieve goals.”
While having diabetes is by no means a determinant
for the devotion and impact
that an ADA employee has,
it’s clear that this personal
connection has played a huge
role in each of these women’s
hard work. Now, dedicated to
the same undertaking,
Pfeffer, Rougeau and
Yarbrough are sure to make
this a memorable year for the
Tour de Cure. “It’s so ironic
that we’re all type 1 women
working on the same event,”
says Rougeau. “It’s like all the
stars aligned this year.”
Photos: Top left, Erica Rougeau,
director, San Antonio office; bottom
left, Elvis and Amanda
Yarbrough, manager of the
Austin office; right, Jenny Pfeffer,
associate manager in Austin. |
