Leading from experience

NJ resident is executive director of the Diabetes Foundation

The Bergen woman who heads the Diabetes Foundation has seen the devastation of chronic illnesses.

Ginine Cilenti has experienced firsthand the devastation of loved ones suffering from chronic illness. Her grandmother died of diabetes before she was born, her mother died of cancer when she was 12, and her father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in his 60s. “I never got to know my grandmother,” she says. “These early experiences with family health issues helped define a career and passion for giving back.” • Her career took a defining turn when she joined the Hackensack-based Diabetes Foundation six years ago as executive director, and broadened its programs for diabetes patients in five New Jersey counties. The Diabetes Foundation is the only program in the state to provide immediate free short-term insulin with a doctor’s prescription.

Cilenti, a Long Island native and current resident of Wyckoff, says there is a surging diabetes epidemic she estimates will affect a third of Americans by 2050 if current trends continue, transforming the population from one that’s “chronically well” to “chronically ill.” The foundation’s emphasis is on prevention, early intervention and ongoing education. Genetics and age are two factors that predispose some people for diabetes, says Cilenti. “It can have major consequences if it goes undiagnosed or ignored,” she says.

Here are 7 things you should know about Ginine Cilenti.

Her rise at the Diabetes Foundation was swift.

Cilenti says her fundraising work began with nonprofits such as the Archdiocese of New York. When she moved to New Jersey, she was offered the job of chief development officer for the Diabetes Foundation. Six months later, they offered her the executive director position.

She says that children’s experiences with diabetes are complicated.

“Diabetes is a progressive disease that changes over time,” Cilenti says. “People need refresher education to support the most significant changes, what to expect.” Children are more difficult to manage because they are affected by how their friends react to their disease, she says. “We want to delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes in children with Type 1 diabetes,” says Cilenti.

She says that “A fair number of (former) patients call us three years later for updates. We’re really focused on advocating screenings for prevention. We now have support groups and refresher courses, and one-on-one guidance when needed.”

Cilenti has seen how diabetes affects the whole family, not just the patient.

“When a family has to decide between buying insulin and paying the rent, it affects everyone,” Cilenti says. “We help people find help with utilities, nearby doctors, how to manage when their insurance carrier changes or if they have no insurance.”

The foundation now provides a transportation program to get patients to medical appointments and testing facilities. Their campership program allows children to bond with others living with diabetes while helping them develop self-management skills to take charge of their own health.

COVID-19 helped her improve contact-testing.

The foundation increased screening sites at food pantries so those who came for food assistance got help in other ways as well. “We meet people of all ages, children through adult,” Cilenti says. “We’re able to provide these patients with free resources (in the short term) — diabetes supplies such as test strips, monitors, syringes and needles. The (Teaneck-based) Russ Berrie Foundation has given us a grant to study areas based on the number of diabetes cases so we are more likely to provide one-stop care.”

Cilenti is furthering her education while on the job.

The 1987 Garden City High School graduate received a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Siena College in 1991. In addition to serving full-time at her executive director post, she is now pursuing a master’s degree in population health at Johns Hopkins University.

She met her husband on a dating app.

Though Cilenti and her husband Chris met online, they describe their meeting as inevitable.

“We went to nearby Catholic colleges, we worked within blocks of each other and had mutual friends,” Cilenti says. “We often say if we didn’t meet with the app, it was only a matter of time until we met.”

Their daughter Rebecca, 12, is a student at the Village School in Waldwick. Cilenti coordinates the school’s Harvest Fest each year. “The kids get together and celebrate the changing of the seasons,” she says.

Technology is helpful, she says, but more assistance is needed to treat diabetes.

Cilenti says the foundation was started in 1990 by health care professionals and business supporters to ensure that individuals have access to care regardless of their financial status. While technological advances such as glucose meters have helped in that challenge, the foundation continues to seek ways to bring its services to everyone in need of help. “We want everyone to be the best version of themselves,” she says.