Age: 12
Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

A black belt in tae kwon do and a member of his school’s Math Olympics team, Lucas is also a Youth Ambassador for JDRF’s Florida Suncoast Chapter. Lucas was diagnosed when his father, who also has T1D, recognized signs of the disease in his son. “My mom got us involved with JDRF so that I could meet other kids like me,” says Lucas. “I have made some great friends through JDRF and have been able to help other kids whom I meet who are new to diabetes to let them know that they will be okay.” Lucas and his family are active in the chapter’s JDRF One Walk and Gala events, and have held a Pro-Am golf tournament for the past four years. This year alone, the Lucas Cup tournament raised $340,000 for T1D research.

Naples boy advocates for Type 1 diabetes research in Washington, D.C. / Naples Daily News / July 23, 2017

Working for a cure: Local boy to advocate for diabetes research in D.C. / Naples Daily News / July 20, 2017