About the Founders

Rhodes has managed his Type I diabetes every day since October 10, 1983.  Alana has been the leader of Rhodes’ support team since August 6, 2005.  They founded Diabetes Support Group, a national online diabetes community, to share practical advice about managing diabetes and supporting diabetics.  Rhodes and Alana believe that with a positive and proactive approach Type I diabetics can fully manage their disease, and Type II diabetics overcome it.

Rhodes B. Ritenour

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Rhodes is a native of New Market, Virginia, and was diagnosed with Type I diabetes as a five-year-old on October 10, 1983.  In the time since his diagnosis, he has taken over 20,000 insulin injections, and checked his blood sugar more than 80,000 times.

A volunteer with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) since the mid-1980’s, Rhodes was named to the ADA’s national Board of Directors in 2022. Previously, he served the diabetes community in Virginia as Chairman of the ADA Community Leadership Board from 2011 – 2013, and on its national Advocacy committee.  Rhodes was also a Member of the ADA National Committee on Legislation and Regulation, and a Member of the ADA Legal Advocacy Network.  He was the Inaugural recipient of the ADA Central Virginia Innovation Award in 2014, and the ADA National Stop Diabetes Volunteer Award, Mid Markets East, in 2014.

Rhodes and Alana Co-Founded The Diabetes Support Group in 2010, hosting monthly in-person meetings in Richmond, Virginia for four years.  After a break to focus on a growing family, they launched this national on-line version of The Diabetes Support Group in 2016.  They also co-produced Life, Love & Diabetes – a television program about effective diabetes management, and living a full life with no limits.

Rhodes and Alana reside in Richmond, Virginia.

Rhodes and Alana have also authored a children’s book entitled “The Adventures of Rhodes and Alana” about a young boy with T1D, that is available for purchase now.

Alana M. Ritenour

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Alana is originally from Great Falls, Virginia. She developed a passion for health and fitness in graduate school while competing in the Miss Virginia Organization scholarship pageant. Since meeting Rhodes in 2005, Alana has been dedicated to improving the lives of persons with diabetes, by encouraging and empowering their support system of family, friends and co-workers.  As the cook in their household, Alana knows she plays an important role in Rhodes’ diabetes management.

In 2022, Alana was named to the Mid-Atlantic Chapter Board of JDRF, the leading non profit funder of T1D research. She serves as the chair of the Nominating and Board Development Committee and on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Previously, Alana chaired the Central Virginia Community Board of JDRF, and also volunteered with the American Diabetes Association. She sings and plays guitar with the praise band at their church.

Rhodes and Alana Co-Founded The Diabetes Support Group in 2010, hosting monthly in-person meetings in Richmond, Virginia for four years.  After a break to focus on a growing family, they launched this national on-line version of The Diabetes Support Group in 2016.  They also co-produced Life, Love & Diabetes – a television program about effective diabetes management, and living a full life with no limits.

Rhodes and Alana reside in Richmond, Virginia.

Rhodes and Alana have also authored a children’s book entitled “The Adventures of Rhodes and Alana” about a young boy with T1D, and which is available for purchase now.

Adventures of R&A, LLC, dba The Diabetes Support Group, owns and manages this site, its content and related social media pages.

Press

Lohmann: Local couple going national with diabetes support group

Husband-wife lawyer team spends free time educating about diabetes

Ritenour: Diabetes Alert Day: a wake-up call

Richmond 40 Under 40: Rhodes Ritenour