Age: 17
Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

Mary Kate gets by with a little help from her friends. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have such wonderful people in my life supporting me and living with me each and every day, overcoming this disease right by my side. I have true supporters and people who inspire me to take action in my community to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.”

As a member of both the National Honor Society and the National Charity League, Mary Kate is involved in JDRF outreach with her mom, and she was recognized at her chapter’s 2013 Promise Ball. Looking toward the future, Mary Kate plans to continue living a healthy lifestyle. She would like to either practice medicine as a doctor or nurse, or work in business management, and hopes to raise a family someday.