Age: 13
Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Melissa has tirelessly raised more than $20,000 for JDRF through bake sales and lemonade stands, but she comes to Children’s Congress realizing that there is still work to be done. And she’s willing to put in the time. “I know that we have our work cut out for us. In other words, the picture has been drawn but not colored in. I promise to continue to do as much as I can to raise money and awareness about type 1 diabetes.”

Melissa’s interests are diverse. She enjoys studying science and wants to help discover a cure for both cancer and T1D someday. Melissa also loves singing, dancing, and playing piano, and she has won a citizenship award and a good character award. Melissa aspires to become either a veterinarian or a special education teacher.