Age: 15
Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

When Catherine received her first pump in second grade, she told friends “it was a cool, secret gadget that only the best children in the world got.” Now she says, “I wish I could maintain that confident and high spirit about diabetes, but once you get older, it’s a lot harder.” Yet Catherine’s commitment to finding a cure—and to enjoying her life until a cure is found—is evident in her passions: writing, dancing, volleyball and playing drums and violin are just a handful. She spreads awareness of T1D on social media, mentors newly diagnosed kids, has attended a JDRF Gala in Washington and participates in diabetes camp each year. “A cure may seem far away,” she says, “but at the same time, you need to travel far to reach the stars.”

http://youtu.be/JJfp1TiigPg