Age: 15
Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Nikhita enjoys playing varsity tennis, participating in speech competitions, baking and watching Golden State Warriors games. She is also a dedicated feminist who wants to play a part in the fight for equality. She says, “T1D has made me a much stronger, independent and mature woman than I would have ever imagined.” Nikhita was the first child with T1D at her K-12 school, so she helped educate students, teachers and staff about the realities of T1D. She has also taken part in JDRF One Walk, JDRF TypeOneNation Summits and a mentoring program called Diabuddies. She says, “I enjoy helping those who are newly diagnosed with a strong passion, for nothing is better than the feeling of making someone recognize that they’re not alone.”

JDRF Children’s Congress Speech / The diaTribe Foundation / July 25, 2017

Bay Area kids with Type 1 diabetes seek funding in D.C. / East Bay Times / July 25, 2017

Guest column by Nikhita: Morgan Hill teen to lobby for Type 1 diabetes cure / Morgan Hill Life / July 5 – 18, 2017

MH teen to advocate for diabetes research in nation’s capital / The Morgan Hill Times / May 19, 2017