Samantha Merwin
PRESIDENT
I'm Samantha (Sam). My son Logan (Elbowbumpkid) was diagnosed with T1D when he was 17 months old. Since then, our family has been fundraising and raising awareness about Type 1 Diabetes, and celebrated 10 years thriving with Type 1 in July 2018. We also love traveling to explore new places, running races together and binge watching Netflix.
Our family has always been active in the diabetes community. Since 2008 we have fundraised over $100,000 for various T1D nonprofits. I also love planning social events to connect the the Type 1 community and support the nonprofits that help these kids thrive with T1D.
Kathleen Brown
VICE PRESIDENT
I have two kids: my son Connor recently graduated with his MBA and lives in Salem, MA; and my son Russell who is a Senior in high school. Russell was diagnosed with T1D in August 2007 at the age of 3. Russell is an active teen, playing soccer, basketball and golf in high school - he doesn't let T1D slow him down. The first real connections I made with people also living with T1D were through the message boards of the Children With Diabetes website (social media wasn't really a thing at that time!). I was thrilled to attend our first Friends For Life conference in 2014. We have attended each year since then - learning from the best researchers, educators and other families. The friendships we have created are truly Friends For Life. I love being a part of Elbowbumpkid Inc and supporting families living with T1D.
Jill Benn
SECRETARY
I’m Jill, mom to Aiden age 11 and Aliveah age 12. Aiden is my Type 1, diagnosed April 21, 2012 at the age of 3. I have two full time jobs, I work at Connecticare in Farmington, CT and I am a full time “pancreas” for Aiden!! In between working and school we are huge soccer fans and spend a ton of time at the soccer fields! I am thrilled to be part of the #ElbowBumpKid family as the Secretary and I am committed with helping fundraise to send as many families as possible to Friends for Life in Orlando, FL.
Virginia Coleman-Prisco
TREASURER
I'm Virginia (or Ginger to my friends, and Dr. Coleman-Prisco to my students). I live in Norfolk up in the Northwest Hills of CT. I'm an Assistant Professor at Mercy College in NY and Board of Education member in Norfolk. My spouse Ralph and I have three offspring and three cats: Lucas, John and Michael, along with Ruby, Lincoln and Biscuit. Our middle kid was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was in Kindergarten in 2015. Shortly afterwards we were lucky enough to meet the Merwin family and find connections with local CT T1D families. I am passionate about making sure insulin and T1D medical supplies are available and affordable to all T1D families, but more importantly, I love connecting with T1D community members who share the same experiences that we do. I'm happy to join the board of #Elbowbumpkid and serviette T1D community in new ways.
Lisa DeGroff
MEMBER
I'm Lisa, my son Josh was diagnosed in DKA with T1D when he was 13 years old on 6/22/2015, he is now 19 and our family has been living with T1D for 6 years. Josh will be a sophomore at CCSU. I live in Kensington with my husband David, and sons Tom who is 26, Rob who is 24 and our Golden Retriever Cooper who is 4.
I have been a Pre-K 4/5 teacher in Kensington for 15 years and also enjoy quilting, jewelry making, reading and serving my church family at Kensington Congregational. I am also a volunteer for the MS Society.
I have been an outreach volunteer for JDRF for 5 years. Josh and I, along with Dr. Dunbar, have done a PSA for CCMC, and Josh has been very involved in the #neverstopgrowing campaign for CCMC.
I am so looking forward to serving on the #Elbowbumpkid board. I am very excited to help make this T1D journey and all it entails easier for families.
