Age: 8
Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Michael knows about change—he’s an avid coin collector who can tell you all about the Mercury dime, the Indian Head penny, and the Standing Liberty quarter. But during Children’s Congress, there’s another kind of change on his mind—progress toward finding a cure for T1D. “I want us all to have the same opportunity to be healthy, productive adults. We will be better citizens if we feel well, and that leads to a better country.”

A finalist for the 2012 St. Joseph’s Hospital Kids are Heroes event, Michael has already helped pass a Safe at School state law. He enjoys studying presidential history, loves writing short stories, and plans to run for student council. In addition to helping find a cure, in the future he’d like to publish a book.