Age: 15
Age at Diagnosis: 8

When Anya was 10 years old, one of her close friends from diabetes camp passed away due to complications from severe low blood sugar. “She is a big part of what inspired me to raise money to fund research for a cure through JDRF.” Anya holds fundraisers for JDRF at her school and even started a jewelry business, Marijoy Jewelry,and donates the proceeds to JDRF. She also helps drive T1D research forward through participation in clinical trials. 

Anya has been a competitive swimmer since the age of 6 and is thankful for advances in T1D technology that make controlling her blood sugar easier during activities. In the future, Anya hopes to have a job where she can help others with medical challenges. “I want to be the light for others like my doctors were for me.”