Age: 12 Age at T1D diagnosis: 3 When Andrew was diagnosed with T1D at age three, he knew he had to be very brave in order to live well the disease. Andrew isn’t just brave, he plans to be a hero for the T1D community someday. When he is older, Andrew is interested in becoming […]
Age: 17 Age at T1D diagnosis: 11 Anthony has earned the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve, Eagle Scout. Scouts are resilient, resourceful and spend years working to benefit their communities. For his Eagle Scout project, Anthony created “The Quiet Zone” to benefit both people with T1D and anyone on the Autism Spectrum, so […]
Age: 16 Age at T1D diagnosis: 13 Bella always wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and join the Navy. However, when she was 13, she was diagnosed with T1D, and had to reconcile that she will not be able to serve in the military. Bella has made it her mission to do all she […]
Age: 15 Age at T1D diagnosis: 6 Grace keeps busy as an honor student, member of several different clubs and a tennis and soccer player. Despite her full schedule, Grace and her family are very active with their local JDRF Chapter—her father serves on the Board and the entire family volunteers at JDRF One Walks, […]
Age: 15 Age at T1D diagnosis: 1 When Jamie decides to do something, she really commits to it. She started playing the violin four years ago, and is now the associate concertmaster of the Marin Symphony Youth Crescendo Orchestra, in addition to playing with a chamber music group and performing arts festivals. Jamie loves writing […]
Age: 17 Age at T1D diagnosis: 11 Jeremy is an active high school junior who enjoys spending time with his friends and snowboarding, and hopes to have a career in either zoology or marine biology. Jeremy has also participated in many JDRF One Walk events, helped chair the San Francisco One Walk, and has served […]
Age: 17 Age at T1D diagnosis: 10 When Jessica was first diagnosed with T1D at age 10, she had a rough time adjusting to what life was like living with T1D, saying that she was “a girl controlled by a disease.” After a scary experience in February 2017, Jessica gained a new outlook and decided […]
Age: 11 Age at T1D diagnosis: 9 In the two years since Jonah was diagnosed with T1D, he has made a lasting impression on his local community including his Members of Congress. Jonah spreads the word about T1D everywhere he goes, and even posts videos of his presentations on his YouTube channel. In 2018, Jonah […]
Age: 17 Age at T1D diagnosis: 8 When Natalie was diagnosed with T1D at just eight years old, she received a visit in the hospital from a friend from school who also had T1D (and a shiny pink insulin pump!). This visit inspired Natalie, and she left the hospital feeling motivated and determined to conquer […]
Age: 17 Age at T1D diagnosis: 11 Teddy is an expert at managing his full schedule of mock trial, lacrosse and being on the dean’s honor roll, all while successfully managing his T1D. Teddy has made it a personal goal to educate his peers at school about T1D, and as a JDRF Youth Ambassador, has […]
Age: 16 Age at T1D diagnosis: 4 Thomas has been active since he was little playing soccer, baseball, flag football and basketball. Thomas says that what he enjoys the most about sports is the element of teamwork, and groups of people who are all working together toward a common goal. In addition to athletics, Thomas […]
Age: 11 Age at T1D diagnosis: 8 Avery is a veteran participant of the Greater Bay Area Chapter’s JDRF One Walk event. She also volunteers at the chapter’s Tee-to-Table event in Half Moon Bay, where she and two others spoke to a crowd of more than 200 people about living with T1D. A member of […]
Age: 8 Age at T1D diagnosis: 3 In her spare time, Bria enjoys gymnastics, drawing and acting in plays, such as The Wizard of Oz. She says, “When I grow up I want to invent a diabetes school where all the kids and teachers have diabetes so everyone can understand me.” Bria also wants to […]
Age: 17 Age at T1D diagnosis: 11 Carter is a Youth Ambassador and Youth Advocacy Leader representing JDRF’s Greater Bay Area Chapter. In those capacities he has spoken at the chapter’s Gala, the Spring Fling and various corporate events in the area. Carter mentors kids who are newly diagnosed with T1D, and is a member […]
Age: 12 Age at T1D diagnosis: 8 Chase enjoys playing basketball—he plays on three teams—and spending time with his dog and two cats. In 2013, he participated in a clinical trial at Stanford for the artificial pancreas and tested a new Dexcom sensor in 2016. He is particularly interested in new T1D technology because of […]
Age: 11 Age at T1D diagnosis: 5 Elijah is likely the only Delegate this year who has a pet pig. The 4H member brings his pet along with him to speaking engagements when discussing the origins of life-saving insulin shots. Elijah, who is also a Cub Scout who enjoys basketball, football, and swimming, is working […]
Age: 9 Age at T1D diagnosis: 6 Pro baseball player, pro basketball player, or T1D research scientist: those are some of the career options being considered by Evan. Right now, he’s a third grader who has read every Harry Potter book twice and is making his way through the Geronimo Stilton series. Evan is also […]
Age: 15 Age at T1D diagnosis: 6 Joey enjoys playing competitive lacrosse and football, loves to hang out with friends and family, and is a committed volunteer. He looks forward to studying in college to become an engineer, saying, “Even though it has not been easy, I have never let T1D define me as a […]
Age: 13 Age at T1D diagnosis: 6 Jonathan, a JDRF 2011 Children’s Congress Delegate, is excited to return as Chair Kid for JDRF 2017 Children’s Congress. Since Jonathan’s diagnosis in 2009, he has become a mentor to other people with T1D and an all-around advocate. He has grown too; he is now 6’4” at 13 […]
Age: 13 Age at T1D diagnosis: 2 Kurt keeps up-to-date on expected advances in treatments for T1D and is excited about artificial pancreas systems. “I liked the idea of not having to worry about my diabetes for once,” he says. “More advancements in technology would mean less stress and worrying for both my mom and […]
Age: 6 Age at T1D diagnosis: 4 Madison enjoys painting, dance and sports. “When I grow up I want to be a doctor. I want to help babies when they are new, and their moms,” she says. Madison and her family have a team for JDRF One Walk called ‘The Mad Squad,’ and they are […]
Age: 12 Age at T1D diagnosis: 3 Miranda loves dancing, spending time with her friends at diabetes camp and competing in her school’s science fair. She loves playing with her puppy Emmett and hopes to be a veterinarian when she gets older. When she was first diagnosed, Miranda received shots, but has since enjoyed the […]
Age: 15 Age at T1D diagnosis: 5 Nikhita enjoys playing varsity tennis, participating in speech competitions, baking and watching Golden State Warriors games. She is also a dedicated feminist who wants to play a part in the fight for equality. She says, “T1D has made me a much stronger, independent and mature woman than I […]
Age: 17 Age at T1D diagnosis: 7 Thomas is in jazz band at school and his favorite hobby is drumming. He also enjoys ultimate frisbee, history, and politics. Thomas tries to stay as up-to-date as possible on the latest in diabetes research and treatments. He is a JDRF Youth Ambassador—and has volunteered at his local […]
Age: 13 Age at T1D diagnosis: 8 Since he was diagnosed four years ago, Vincent Po’oi has led one of Northern California Inland Chapter’s largest and most effective JDRF One Walk teams. That’s not the only way he helps the T1D community—he also participated in a year-long T1D research study, and he uses social media […]
Age: 15 Age at T1D diagnosis: 3 Having TID can be scary. But, as Brooklynn says, “It’s how you deal with that fear that defines you. In my case, I turned it into a source for empowerment. I use it to give me the courage to speak up about diabetes awareness and continue in patient […]
Age: 16 Age at T1D diagnosis: 4 When Charlie grows up, he wants to become a mechanical engineer and “work on solving the problems of our ever changing world.” He’s already tackling T1D. He has participated in two continuous glucose monitor studies, which he enjoyed “because I got to experience firsthand the cutting–edge technology that […]
Age: 11 Age at T1D diagnosis: 5 Claire, who was diagnosed as a young child, says T1D “has always been part of my life.” But technological advances have evolved as Claire has grown. She started using an insulin pump in 2012 and was amazed by the change. “Wow, this made my life so much easier, […]
Age: 10 Age at T1D diagnosis: 6 Delilah remembers the day she was diagnosed. “It was very scary,” she says, “it was a lot to learn.” Yet Delilah has turned those fears into a new hope for a cure. Today, she uses a CGM and also relies on her diabetes alert dog, Yalu. “I am […]
Age: 17 Age at T1D diagnosis: 12 Grace participated in a JDRF Walk about 10 years before she was even diagnosed with T1D—she walked to support her brother, who was diagnosed first. “We were the first members of our family to have type 1 diabetes, so it was a huge adjustment for all of us,” […]
Age: 17 Age at T1D diagnosis: 10 Hunter is reaching new heights… and it’s not just because he’s an accomplished pole vaulter. (He even taught himself to vault!) Hunter has raised more than $30,000 for JDRF in the years since he was diagnosed, serves as a Youth Ambassador, helps out at JDRF Galas, golf and […]
Age: 7 Age at T1D diagnosis: 4 Can you imagine a restaurant designed for people with T1D? Jackson can. He loves going out to eat but is sometimes frustrated that restaurants don’t always post nutritional information. Someday, he wants to open “Jackson’s Restaurant of Everything,” complete with nutritionists to answer questions. In the meantime, Jackson […]
Age: 16 Age at T1D diagnosis: 9 From speech and debate, to robotics and programming, to lacrosse and cycling, Jacob’s passions are as diverse as his many commitments to T1D awareness. A JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes cyclist, volunteer and speaker, Jacob has also shared information about T1D with his classmates through health projects. “In […]
Age: 15 Age at T1D diagnosis: 7 An avid baseball player, John has played for as long as he can remember on school, little league, all–star and travel teams. “I have played most sports: baseball, basketball, soccer, football and golf,” he says, but “baseball is my favorite sport by far because I have played it […]
Age: 6 Age at T1D diagnosis: 3 Joseph has some serious fundraising chops. His JDRF Walk team was the second–highest fundraising team in his local JDRF chapter, raising almost $15,000 in Joseph’s very first year participating, an amount they doubled at this year’s Walk. With help from his mom, Joseph helps share his message of hope […]
Age: 6 Age at T1D diagnosis: 2 Laura is a hard worker: She helps her dad on their family ranch, and when she grows up, she wants to become a veterinarian, and to continue to farm her family’s avocados, citrus fruits and olives. She is also a dedicated T1D advocate. Laura and her diabetic alert […]
Age: 16 Age at T1D diagnosis: 1 Louise, who loves reading, writing, drawing and listening to music, has reached a number of impressive goals. “Accomplishments I’m especially proud of include being one of two girls chosen to attend a science and math camp called Tech Trek over the summer of my seventh grade year, giving […]
Age: 10 Age at T1D diagnosis: 7 Maddy tells an inspiring story about sharing her experience with T1D: “I gave a short speech at the Imagine Gala about how I had to stick myself a minimum of 84 times a week to test my blood sugar. I asked the audience to please give $84 towards […]
Age: 7 Age at T1D diagnosis: 4 Olivia has Olympic–sized dreams: A talented ice skater, she won two first–place medals in her first competition. “My mom said she was extra proud of me, because not only did I go out and do my programs the best I could, I also did it while dealing with […]
Age: 13 Age at T1D diagnosis: 4 T1D has taken Allison across the globe. In 2010, she traveled to Switzerland as part of the first U.S. team to compete in the Medtronic Junior Cup international soccer tournament. A cure for T1D would have a positive impact on her game—and her life. “What I hope to […]
Age: 11 Age at T1D diagnosis: 6 Andrew knows how to spread the word about T1D. “I’m not shy about my T1D or the tools I use to manage it, and I’d be thrilled to tell anyone willing to listen how T1D affects every minute of every day of my life. Awareness is very important […]
Age: 11 Age at T1D diagnosis: 3 Austin is determined to find a cure for T1D and hopes a career in medicine or electrical engineering will one day help him achieve this goal. As a member of Destination Imagination, a global math and engineering competition, Austin is full of ideas: “What if you could sync […]
Age: 16 Age at T1D diagnosis: 14 Brandon shows up every day—literally. This honors student has never missed a day of school or arrived late for class. He shows up for his T1D, too, by taking care of his health and being an advocate for T1D research funding. “Though living with type 1 diabetes has […]
Age: 17 Age at T1D diagnosis: 7 Imagine a world without T1D, asks Cindy. “There would be no more little kids crying as their parents try to coax them into poking their fingers. There would be no more use for diabetes supplies. There would be no more little kids in hospital beds receiving the news […]
Age: 11 Age at T1D diagnosis: 8 Eileen has grand aspirations—when she grows up, she’d like to become president of the United States, or a police officer. For now, though, she’d just like to find a cure. “A cure for type 1 diabetes is very important to my family and me. It would mean no […]
Age: 15 Age at T1D diagnosis: 2 Hannah hopes that through her lengthy experience with T1D, she can be a role model to younger kids at Children’s Congress. “The challenge of having type 1 diabetes has taught me to be independent, hardworking, and compassionate. I know what it’s like to have to overcome an obstacle, […]
Age: 8 Age at T1D diagnosis: 6 Jonah has learned a lot about T1D since his diagnosis, and he helps educate his classmates and his community. In fact, one of his proudest accomplishments is learning how to manage his disease. Yet Jonah still hopes for a solution to T1D. “Even though having type 1 diabetes […]
Age: 7 Age at T1D diagnosis: 5 Jonah knows that it is what’s on the inside that matters when it comes to T1D. “People look at me and they think it’s easy, because they can’t see that my pancreas doesn’t work, but it’s not easy. I bet if everyone had T1D, then everyone would realize […]
Age: 5 Age at T1D diagnosis: 1 Julianna and her family have come through many challenges. When Julianna was diagnosed, her father, Shiloh, an Army major and Blackhawk Pilot, decided to stay in the Army, in part to maintain health insurance. During his deployments, Julianna’s mother managed the girl’s T1D on her own, while also […]
Age: 13 Age at T1D diagnosis: 8 Modern-day cowboy Ryan is riding for a cure. This rodeo finalist practices three to four times daily and also loves camping, swimming, and training dogs. “I want people to see that kids with type 1 diabetes can be normal, active kids just like any other kids, with the […]
Age: 6 Age at T1D diagnosis: 5 Sophia is only six, but she’s growing up fast. Diagnosed with T1D one year ago, she has learned to deal gracefully with seven insulin shots and 12 blood-glucose readings a day, waking up twice every night, and calculating the carbohydrates in every bite of food she eats—while at […]
Age: 15 Age at T1D diagnosis: 12 Will’s story is both unique and universal. After being rushed to the hospital with a blood-glucose level of 960—plus three days of sickness, vomiting, and learning how to administer insulin shots—he was able to leave, but not without realizing that his life had changed. “I hope to use […]
Age: 10 Age at T1D diagnosis: 8 Willa has seen the future! Just one week after her T1D diagnosis, she joined the Metabolic Control Study at Stanford University, where she received an insulin pump, continuous glucose monitor, and—most importantly— for three days in the hospital, she got to use an artificial pancreas system. “I think […]