"My aspirations are to be a kind person and a friend to everyone, and to make my community more aware of what type 1 diabetes really is," Caitlin says. Diagnosed at age nine, she has dealt with a lot of frustrating questions about the disease from misinformed classmates.

"My aspirations are to be a kind person and a friend to everyone, and to make my community more aware of what type 1 diabetes really is," Caitlin says. Diagnosed at age nine, she has dealt with a lot of frustrating questions about the disease from misinformed classmates. She says, "Those questions got to me, but with support from my loving family…friends, and JDRF, I have been going strong." She is taking a stand to raise awareness as a JDRF Youth Ambassador and volunteer, and has been active in JDRF's Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes, for which she raised over $200,000 in four years with her team, "Caitlin's Crew." Caitlin is interested in animals, drawing, and helping others. She wants to help more people understand the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and to encourage Congress to increase research funding.