California

Brodie

California, 2023

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Brodie is an award-winning basketball player whose dream is to play for the NBA. Upon his diagnosis with T1D, all Brodie could think was... Read More

Damian

California, 2023

Age: 10 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

Damian loves sports, particularly baseball and soccer, and he doesn’t shy away from stepping up into some of the tougher roles on his teams.... Read More

Darcy

California, 2023

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

In addition to being an honors student, Darcy enjoys art, crochet, roller skating, and plays tennis for her high school. She has even found... Read More

Emma

California, 2023

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

When Emma was young, she wanted to be a superhero so she could help people in need. Her career plans have changed a bit.... Read More

Frankie

California, 2023

Age: 7 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Frankie is one busy girl! She is on a local swim team, plays piano, is an avid snow skier, participates in gymnastics, and is... Read More

Kathryn

California, 2023

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

Kathryn recently earned her scuba diving certification, something people with T1D couldn’t do until recently. She loves sports and the outdoors, with some of... Read More

Lucca

California, 2023

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

Lucca likes to stay active with fencing, playing dodgeball, and going to the park with his friends. He’s become a pro at overcoming challenges—not... Read More

Marisa

California, 2023

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

If you ask Marisa what she wants to do when she’s older, her answer is simple: she wants to make a difference in people’s... Read More

Natalia

California, 2023

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Natalia became a JDRF Youth Ambassador pretty soon after being diagnosed with T1D, and she credits that with helping her to adjust to life... Read More

Nina

California, 2023

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 13

Sports and competition have always been a big part of Nina’s life, but she has always made time for other things she’s passionate about.... Read More

Paige

California, 2023

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

If there is one word to describe Paige, it’s definitely the word “resilient.” Paige was diagnosed with T1D when she was in the first... Read More

Paris

California, 2023

Age: 12 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

If you ask Paris what type of animal is her favorite, she’d probably quickly answer with “koalas.” When Paris was diagnosed with T1D, her... Read More

Tennyson

California, 2023

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Tennyson likes creating online trivia quizzes and collecting junior ranger badges from all the U.S. National Parks. He’s a speed LEGO builder and has... Read More

Zosia

California, 2023

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Zosia has a passion for writing, especially poetry. She also loves to play violin and listen to live music. Aside from an appreciation for... Read More

Andrew

California, 2019

Age: 12 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

When Andrew was diagnosed with T1D at age three, he knew he had to be very brave in order to live well the... Read More

Anthony

California, 2019

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Anthony has earned the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve, Eagle Scout. Scouts are resilient, resourceful and spend years working to benefit... Read More

Bella

California, 2019

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 13

Bella always wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and join the Navy. However, when she was 13, she was diagnosed with T1D,... Read More

Grace

California, 2019

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Grace keeps busy as an honor student, member of several different clubs and a tennis and soccer player. Despite her full schedule, Grace... Read More

Jamie

California, 2019

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

When Jamie decides to do something, she really commits to it. She started playing the violin four years ago, and is now the... Read More

Jeremy

California, 2019

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Jeremy is an active high school junior who enjoys spending time with his friends and snowboarding, and hopes to have a career in... Read More

Jessica

California, 2019

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 10

When Jessica was first diagnosed with T1D at age 10, she had a rough time adjusting to what life was like living with... Read More

Jonah

California, 2019

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

In the two years since Jonah was diagnosed with T1D, he has made a lasting impression on his local community including his Members... Read More

Natalie

California, 2019

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

When Natalie was diagnosed with T1D at just eight years old, she received a visit in the hospital from a friend from school... Read More

Teddy

California, 2019

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Teddy is an expert at managing his full schedule of mock trial, lacrosse and being on the dean’s honor roll, all while successfully... Read More

Thomas

California, 2019

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Thomas has been active since he was little playing soccer, baseball, flag football and basketball. Thomas says that what he enjoys the most... Read More

Avery

California, 2017

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Avery is a veteran participant of the Greater Bay Area Chapter’s JDRF One Walk event. She also volunteers at the chapter’s Tee-to-Table event... Read More

Bria

California, 2017

Age: 8 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

In her spare time, Bria enjoys gymnastics, drawing and acting in plays, such as The Wizard of Oz. She says, “When I grow... Read More

Carter

California, 2017

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Carter is a Youth Ambassador and Youth Advocacy Leader representing JDRF’s Greater Bay Area Chapter. In those capacities he has spoken at the... Read More

Chase

California, 2017

Age: 12 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Chase enjoys playing basketball—he plays on three teams—and spending time with his dog and two cats. In 2013, he participated in a clinical... Read More

Elijah

California, 2017

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Elijah is likely the only Delegate this year who has a pet pig. The 4H member brings his pet along with him to... Read More

Evan

California, 2017

Age: 9 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Pro baseball player, pro basketball player, or T1D research scientist: those are some of the career options being considered by Evan. Right now,... Read More

Joey

California, 2017

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Joey enjoys playing competitive lacrosse and football, loves to hang out with friends and family, and is a committed volunteer. He looks forward... Read More

Jonathan

California, 2017

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Jonathan, a JDRF 2011 Children’s Congress Delegate, is excited to return as Chair Kid for JDRF 2017 Children’s Congress. Since Jonathan’s diagnosis in... Read More

Kurt

California, 2017

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

Kurt keeps up-to-date on expected advances in treatments for T1D and is excited about artificial pancreas systems. “I liked the idea of not... Read More

Madison

California, 2017

Age: 6 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Madison enjoys painting, dance and sports. “When I grow up I want to be a doctor. I want to help babies when they... Read More

Miranda

California, 2017

Age: 12 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

Miranda loves dancing, spending time with her friends at diabetes camp and competing in her school’s science fair. She loves playing with her... Read More

Nikhita

California, 2017

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Nikhita enjoys playing varsity tennis, participating in speech competitions, baking and watching Golden State Warriors games. She is also a dedicated feminist who... Read More

Thomas

California, 2017

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Thomas is in jazz band at school and his favorite hobby is drumming. He also enjoys ultimate frisbee, history, and politics. Thomas tries... Read More

Vincent

California, 2017

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Since he was diagnosed four years ago, Vincent Po’oi has led one of Northern California Inland Chapter’s largest and most effective JDRF One... Read More

Brooklynn

California, 2015

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

Having TID can be scary. But, as Brooklynn says, “It’s how you deal with that fear that defines you. In my case, I... Read More

Charles

California, 2015

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

When Charlie grows up, he wants to become a mechanical engineer and “work on solving the problems of our ever changing world.” He’s... Read More

Claire

California, 2015

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Claire, who was diagnosed as a young child, says T1D “has always been part of my life.” But technological advances have evolved as... Read More

Delilah

California, 2015

Age: 10 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Delilah remembers the day she was diagnosed. “It was very scary,” she says, “it was a lot to learn.” Yet Delilah has turned... Read More

Grace

California, 2015

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Grace participated in a JDRF Walk about 10 years before she was even diagnosed with T1D—she walked to support her brother, who was... Read More

Hunter

California, 2015

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 10

Hunter is reaching new heights… and it’s not just because he’s an accomplished pole vaulter. (He even taught himself to vault!) Hunter has... Read More

Jackson

California, 2015

Age: 7 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Can you imagine a restaurant designed for people with T1D? Jackson can. He loves going out to eat but is sometimes frustrated that... Read More

Jacob

California, 2015

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

From speech and debate, to robotics and programming, to lacrosse and cycling, Jacob’s passions are as diverse as his many commitments to T1D... Read More

John

California, 2015

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

An avid baseball player, John has played for as long as he can remember on school, little league, all–star and travel teams. “I... Read More

Joseph

California, 2015

Age: 6 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

Joseph has some serious fundraising chops. His JDRF Walk team was the second–highest fundraising team in his local JDRF chapter, raising almost $15,000 in... Read More

Laura

California, 2015

Age: 6 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

Laura is a hard worker: She helps her dad on their family ranch, and when she grows up, she wants to become a... Read More

Louise

California, 2015

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

Louise, who loves reading, writing, drawing and listening to music, has reached a number of impressive goals. “Accomplishments I’m especially proud of include... Read More

Madeleine

California, 2015

Age: 10 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Maddy tells an inspiring story about sharing her experience with T1D: “I gave a short speech at the Imagine Gala about how I... Read More

Olivia

California, 2015

Age: 7 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Olivia has Olympic–sized dreams: A talented ice skater, she won two first–place medals in her first competition. “My mom said she was extra... Read More

Allison

California, 2013

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

T1D has taken Allison across the globe. In 2010, she traveled to Switzerland as part of the first U.S. team to compete in... Read More

Andrew

California, 2013

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Andrew knows how to spread the word about T1D. “I’m not shy about my T1D or the tools I use to manage it,... Read More

Austin

California, 2013

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

Austin is determined to find a cure for T1D and hopes a career in medicine or electrical engineering will one day help him... Read More

Brandon

California, 2013

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 14

Brandon shows up every day—literally. This honors student has never missed a day of school or arrived late for class. He shows up... Read More

Cindy

California, 2013

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Imagine a world without T1D, asks Cindy. “There would be no more little kids crying as their parents try to coax them into... Read More

Eileen

California, 2013

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Eileen has grand aspirations—when she grows up, she’d like to become president of the United States, or a police officer. For now, though,... Read More

Hannah

California, 2013

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

Hannah hopes that through her lengthy experience with T1D, she can be a role model to younger kids at Children’s Congress. “The challenge... Read More

Jonah

California, 2013

Age: 7 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Jonah knows that it is what’s on the inside that matters when it comes to T1D. “People look at me and they think... Read More

Jonah

California, 2013

Age: 8 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Jonah has learned a lot about T1D since his diagnosis, and he helps educate his classmates and his community. In fact, one of... Read More

Julianna

California, 2013

Age: 5 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

Julianna and her family have come through many challenges. When Julianna was diagnosed, her father, Shiloh, an Army major and Blackhawk Pilot, decided... Read More

Ryan

California, 2013

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Modern-day cowboy Ryan is riding for a cure. This rodeo finalist practices three to four times daily and also loves camping, swimming, and... Read More

Sophia

California, 2013

Age: 6 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Sophia is only six, but she’s growing up fast. Diagnosed with T1D one year ago, she has learned to deal gracefully with seven... Read More

Will

California, 2013

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Will’s story is both unique and universal. After being rushed to the hospital with a blood-glucose level of 960—plus three days of sickness,... Read More

Willa

California, 2013

Age: 10 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Willa has seen the future! Just one week after her T1D diagnosis, she joined the Metabolic Control Study at Stanford University, where she... Read More

Caroline

California, 2011

One day, Caroline wants to be a professional soccer player, an artist, an orthodontist, and a mom. She also wants to attend Duke University and drive a yellow sports car. Read More

Cynthia

California, 2011

When she was diagnosed just before her 11th birthday – the day before her family was supposed to leave for vacation – Cynthia worried about how her life would change.... Read More

Hayes

California, 2011

Hayes is living proof that with effort and optimism, change is possible. Strengthened by that positive approach to life, he aspires to be an ambassador one day, to "help bring... Read More

Jeffrey

California, 2011

Jeff likes to challenge himself, so when he was diagnosed with type 1 in sixth grade, he knew that in order to continue doing well in school and sports, he... Read More

Jonathan

California, 2011

When Jonathan returned to school after being diagnosed at age six, his mother explained diabetes to his classmates. Since then, his entire school has been supportive, and has even raised... Read More

Joseph

California, 2011

When Joseph graduates from college, he wants to have a career helping people or animals. In his years before college, however, Joseph is already helping others by spreading awareness about... Read More

Kaitlyn

California, 2011

"I am so proud to be a part of JDRF," says Kaitlyn, who wants to be a chapter Executive Director one day. Diagnosed at age two, she is a Youth... Read More

Lucy

California, 2011

Lucy and her family are huge advocates for diabetes research. That's because Lucy was diagnosed when she was three, and a year later, her brother, Hayes, was diagnosed at age... Read More

Michelle

California, 2011

Michelle, diagnosed at age four, remembers the moment in first grade when she realized she couldn't be totally carefree. While repeatedly climbing up a mountain of snow for toboggan runs... Read More

Ryan

California, 2011

Ryan, diagnosed at 16 months old, is interested in a career as a dirt bike rider or entertainment wrestler. But first, he wants to teach people about diabetes and help... Read More

Ryan

California, 2011

A poster hangs in the front office of Ryan's endocrinologist, showing Ryan's many activities and proving that he hasn't let diabetes stop him from living. "It took a lot of... Read More

Sarah

California, 2011

When she was diagnosed at age 10, Sarah says all she knew about type 1 was that Nick Jonas had it. Since then, she has learned a lot about the... Read More

Taylor

California, 2011

"I seem to enjoy everything," says Taylor. She loves school, plays soccer and softball, rides horses, plays piano, and is a Girl Scout, not to mention a whole list of... Read More