Reta Desmarais is a Diabetes Champion because:
1. She has a desire to share the experiences of living with a chronic disease and still fulfilling your dreams

2.  She is a teacher that enjoys imparting the knowledge that will allow others with diabetes to enjoy a full and happy life.

3. She has a desire to reach a wide audience with her experiences as a person with diabetes and has authored a book on traveling with diabetes to impart the experiences she has gained and to encourage people with this disease to follow their dreams

4. She is a giver and has helped in the fund raising that provides the necessary research to conquer this disease

5. She is an optimist who believes that the disease will be conquered in her lifetime

6. She is a volunteer who gives willingly of her time whenever called upon, such that the message of hope can be carried to those who are living with this disease