On Tuesday 9-24-02, we invited the community of patients with diabetes and their support to an evening with the Joslin Diabetes Center staff.  Over 125 people showed up to the evening program on the Mysteries of Diabetes Revealed.  We had standing room only at the Health Education Center.  Richard Jackson, MD and Bill Polansky, PhD led the evening.  Their approach was simple: identify what concerned people and what burning clinical questions they had.  They spent the rest of the evening answering questions and providing information that was relevant and clinically important to the participants.  For two hours, people were engaged, shared stories and created a sense of connection and hope.  People connected to a support group in the community and with each other.  Many stayed after to have their individual questions answered.  It was our first community forum and we learned:  there is a gap in support and educational resources in our community.  People with diabetes came without an understanding of the evidence and what outcomes are important for them to reduce complications.  I believe they left with that information and ready for action. .