Join us in Orlando!
In July 2022, Children with Diabetes will host our 23rd annual Friends for Life conference, taking place in Orlando, Florida! Join our dedicated group of world-renowned clinicians, researchers, physicians, adults, children, and families with diabetes -- including siblings and children of adults with type 1 diabetes -- to learn the most current information in diabetes care. Attend educational sessions and get cutting-edge diabetes management ideas. Participate in discussion groups, share your story, and help motivate and support others who walk in similar shoes. Watch kids and teens, college students and professionals, young parents and grandparents, new and practiced diabetes clinicians, all make new and lifelong friendships. We'll be together, while working to keep one another safe and sound.
Meet our world-renowned clinicians, researchers, physicians and community members. (Coming soon!)
Thanks to our FFL Orlando 2022 Sponsors!
Registering for the Conference
Every conference participant needs to register for the conference
Registration is $210 per person for ages 6 and older, $60 per person for ages 0-5.
Conference registration will open in December 2021.
*Registering for the hotel only registers you for a hotel room and registering for the conference only registers you for the conference itself.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations prior to June 1, 2022 will be refunded minus a $25 per person processing fee. After June 1, 2022, no refunds are available.
Transportation From MCO to Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Round-trip transportation from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is available to book through Mears Connect at $32 per adult and $27 per child. We encourage you to book your airport transportation, after your flight details have been arranged, at www.mearsconnect.com. Please know that Mears Connect is the replacement service for Disney's Magical Express, which ended on 12/31/21.
Conference Scholarships
Children with Diabetes offers scholarships for families and young adults. Applications must be received by April 30, 2022. Recipients will be notified by June 1, 2022, at which time they will be provided with instructions on how to register for the conference.
Exhibitor Application
All exhibitors must register and complete a COVID and General waiver.
Read reports from Orlando 2021 and Orlando 2019 to see what the in-person conference is all about
Should I Attend?
"At this conference, dreams come true. It’s where, for one week out of the year, diabetes kids are the cool kids." - Alice Morgan
" Sometimes, when days are kind of rough, I’ll put on a green bracelet to remind myself that I am not alone. "
Is this just for children and their families?
In 2021, even with reduced capacity due to COVID, over 950 people came from 41 states (plus DC and PR) and two other countries, including 299 first-timers.
Half of the people with diabetes were adults
Friends for Life® began when our amazing Laura Billetdeaux asked CWD families if they wanted to vacation together. That annual gathering turned into the conference it is today, and includes T1 adults, grandparents teens, tweens and toddlers, and siblings of people with diabetes.
Families & Individuals
with type 1 diabetes including toddlers, tweens, teens and young adults, as well as siblings
Adult Living with T1D
their partners and spouses, and their children and friends
Siblings and Children
who, even though they don't have diabetes, they still live with diabetes
Grandparents and Other Caregivers
who are supporting their family members with type 1 diabetes
Health Care Professionals
who work with people living with type 1 diabetes (CEUs are not offered)
"So many green bracelets symbolized those of us living with diabetes. Our loved ones wore orange. And everywhere I turned I didn’t feel the need to explain when I started to beep." - Cara Richardson
Conference Schedule at a Glance
Monday 7/4
MONDAY, JULY 4 - 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Move-in day for Registration. Lots of families will be on site already. Wear an old Friends for Life t-shirt and find some FFL families at the Big Dig pool or enjoy a theme park! Retinal screening day for staff with T1.
Tuesday 7/5
TUESDAY, JULY 5 - 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Registration is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, so pick up your name badge, conference t-shirt, and green/orange bracelets nice and early! TrialNet screening begins. Pump Trials begin. It's very easy to find other FFLs – look for the bracelets and conference tees! Discussion groups and informal social get togethers will be held to help people meet each other. Enjoy the resort or a theme park with friends. For Youth Program Staff, training is from noon to 5 p.m. Staff dinner and team-building event in the evening at Splitsville.
Wednesday 7/6
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 - 9:00AM - 4:00PM
First Timers Orientation begins at 9 a.m. (this is for adults; children are invited to participate in their age group activities down the hall). Focus groups, discussion groups, and presentations will be held all day. Drop-In Youth Program activities for elementary age kids (6-8) and tweens (9-12) are offered in Fiesta 5 and Fiesta 6. Kiddie Kove for little ones ages 0-5 is in Monterrey. The Teen program is a full day of activities in Coronado L. Retinal Screening begins for conference attendees. TrialNet Screenings continue. Pump Trials continue. The Exhibit Hall opens at 6:00 p.m., in conjunction with a Grand Opening Reception.
Thursday 7/7
THURSDAY, JULY 7 - 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Sessions for adults and children begin at 9:00 am and run all day. Carb counted Opening Keynote Breakfast and lunch buffet will keep you well fed. Screenings and Pump Trials continue. The Exhibit Hall is open from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The Family and Friends Banquet begins at 6:30 with an FFL Safari theme.
Friday 7/8
FRIDAY, JULY 8 - 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Sessions for adults and children all day. Teens head to Animal Kingdom for breakfast and a day in the park. Screenings continue. Pump Trials continue. The Exhibit Hall is open from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Family Movie Night begins at 7:00 pm. Adult social event begins at 8:00 pm. Dessert and Posters with the Faculty runs from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Saturday 7/9
SATURDAY, JULY 9 - 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Enjoy a day at the resort or a theme park with your new Fiffles. Family Carnival Night: Veracruz Porte-Cochere and Veracruz ABC, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Join us for old-style carnival games, music, and delicious carnival snacks!
Sunday, 7/10
SUNDAY, JULY 10 - 8:00AM - 10:00AM
Join us for the Farewell Breakfast with character meet-n-greets as we wind down Friends for Life Orlando 2022.
