Age: 13

Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Emma—or Emmz as her friends call her—has been a powerhouse for promoting T1D awareness since she was first diagnosed at age 7. She participates in yearly JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes events, organizes T1D fundraisers at her school and has met with Federal MPs as part of the JDRF Promise to Remember Me campaign. “All the needles hurt a lot, but if I don’t keep good control of my blood sugar levels, I’m at even greater risk of getting diabetic complications,” she says. “This is why finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications is so important to me.” When she’s not busy getting her T1D story out there, Emma enjoys speech competitions and the debate team, performing arts—musicals in particular—and making hair bows.

READ EMMA’S LATEST NEWS:

“Diabetes Advocate set for US trip” April 6, 2015 Penrith Gazette, Glenmore Park, New South Wales, Australia