Age: 16
Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Jessica dives headfirst into all her activities: Model UN, crew and the Girls Learn International Club. A certified scuba diver, Jessica has been on nearly 50 dives. She feared that T1D would limit her from her passion. “My dream of diving was temporarily shattered when I was diagnosed. The risks of having low blood sugar under water are relatively high and it is unsafe to resurface quickly,” she explains. She eventually returned to the water, visiting St. Thomas and working with a diving instructor who also has diabetes. She dreams of a cure. “I love to dive and I would never give it up, but a cure for diabetes would give back the relaxation of diving.” Jessica has raised funds by founding “Spend for the Cure,” a local shopping event, and sharing her story at JDRF luncheons.

READ JESSICA’S LATEST NEWS:

16 -Year-Old from Scarsdale to Represent New York at JDRF 2015 Children’s Congress