Age: 13
Age at Diagnosis: 8

Lila and her family live over 200 miles from their closest JDRF chapter, but they work to spread awareness about Type 1 Diabetes. As a Youth Advocacy Leader, she and her mom have been part of the “Remember Me Campaign” and have spoken with her Members of Congress. Since 2019, Lila’s dad has sponsored a County Commission proclamation for National Diabetes Awareness Month. Lila has presented in front of her classmates about T1D. She is inspired by her T1D role models Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and former JDRF Delegate and American Ninja Warrior, Katie Bone. She met the Justice at a book signing of “Just Ask” and considers it the experience of a lifetime. Lila says, “By showing that I am not ashamed of having diabetes and that I have no limitations in what I can do, I hope I can inspire others the way I have been inspired.”

Lila participates in choir and competes in robotics. Last year, she and her robotics partner won state awards for judge’s choice and best design, which earned them a trip to compete at VEX IQ Worlds! Lila enjoys reading, especially mystery and historical fiction. She wants to learn how to play guitar and piano and would like to be an aerospace engineer.