Age: 16
Age at Diagnosis: 3

When Laila was in 5th grade, she did a project on Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space. It sparked her love for outer space and her mission to become the first person with T1D to go to space or, even better, the first person cured of T1D to go to space! When she went to Space Camp a few years later and was told people with T1D (currently) can’t be astronauts, it didn’t deter her, it ignited her. Laila immediately joined forces with JDRF to fight for change as a Youth Ambassador and advocate. She also mentors newly diagnosed children, fundraises through her One Walk team, and spreads awareness on social media and through writing letters. 

When she’s not preparing for blast-off, Laila enjoys all things art related; likes to play the violin, perform in plays and musicals, and write original stories. “T1D has never stopped me from following my dreams.”

“Local teen with dreams of outer space heads to Washington D.C. to advocate for research funding,” TownLift, Park City News, June 20, 2023