Age: 12
Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

DJ is a seasoned public speaker who has addressed crowds at two JDRF Walk events and at Walk meetings, participated in five JDRF Promise to Remember Me meetings, and even delivered a speech to classmates after he won his school’s spelling bee (he was the first third grader to win!). In addition to T1D advocacy, DJ plays basketball and football, and attends Boys & Girls Club. “We so badly need to find a cure for this disease and really develop an artificial pancreas. Also, it’s clear to remember that a cure for type 1 diabetes would also greatly help type 2 families, which I know there are a whole lot of,” he says. “I can’t wait until the day that when I can tell people of how life with diabetes was.”

http://youtu.be/TbhrCoTNBRQ