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Susana Feria is currently Chairperson of South and Central America and Hispanic Caribbean Region (SACA) of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

She was elected as Chairperson of SACA Region in 2003 and reelected in 2006. Previously in 2000 she had been elected delegate of Uruguay as Country Representative. She has been part of the Board of Management since 2000.

Susana has been working in the Asociación de Diabéticos del Uruguay as a Volunteer since 1970 where she has been President three times. Currently she assesses the organization in terms of association development, advocacy, education, recruitment and training of volunteers, sharing her example of life with recently diagnosed people of all ages especially trying to focus the behavior of parents of recently diagnosed children.

Over the 38 years she has been actively involved in diabetes developing her sense of duty (vocación de servicio), she has gained a deep understanding of the psychological and social issues of people with diabetes and their families.

In the social and political sphere Susana has developed plans to involve Governments in diabetes issues. She was part of the work team as a guest of the Nation Parliament to present about the diabetes situation in Uruguay with the topics Diabetes Law and Role of the Diabetes Associations in Society. She was part of the Executive Committee to study the MERCOSUR Diabetes Law Project and presented a reason exposition of the new Uruguayan Diabetes Law.

Susana has been a teacher of the Theoretical Practical Course on Diabetes of the Sociedad de Diabetología y Nutrición del Uruguay, held at the Diabetology School of the Medicine University.

She is a Lawyer and Public Notary. She has a Master in Management and Development of Non Profit Organizations and Marketing. She has published booklets about Non Profit Organizations and associations role as well as articles about educational and psycho-social aspects of diabetes, ADU’s history and first camps in ADU.

On November 11th, 2008, Susana will have been living with type 1 diabetes for 50 years, without complications, and enjoying physical, mental and emotional fullness. She shares this wonderful experience with those affected by diabetes, all over the world. She always emphasizes her gratitude (appreciation) to her parents, husband, friends and interdisciplinary health team who have made it possible for her to be very happy with her diabetes, know the world of solidarity, get enormous spiritual gratifications and love, leading a full, useful and healthy life.