Age: 17
Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Mary Clare is a very active high school junior who is involved with student council, cross country, debate and lacrosse. She looks up to her mentor and friend Charlie Kimball, the first IndyCar driver with T1D to win races. She explains, “He inspired me to never let diabetes slow down my life and to have a positive attitude about living with it.” While her friends were taking summer jobs, Mary Clare decided to intern with JDRF. She and her family also take part in JDRF One Walk and JDRF Galas. Mary Clare has met with both her Congressman and Senator to discuss why advances in research are so critical. “I want everyone to realize that people with T1D are some of the greatest warriors, because diabetes never stops and it looks easy to most people.”

Leawood teen joins effort to maintain funding for diabetes research / 98.1 FM KMBZ / July 26, 2017