Age: 12
Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

“If you talk with my friends and family about how I was before I was diagnosed with T1D, they will tell you that ‘Taylor just loves being a little girl,’ or ‘Taylor loves little things in life, like a pretty flower, a ladybug, or her favorite puppy,’” says Taylor. Has T1D changed that? “My resounding answer will be ‘No! I won’t let this disease control me like that.’”

While fighting for a cure, Taylor doesn’t let T1D hold her back. She earned her black belt in tae kwon do at age 10, and hopes to be the first athlete from Hawaii to join the USA Tae Kwon Do Junior National Team for sparring and for poomsae. She also loves singing, dancing, and cheerleading, and plans to become a photographer when she grows up.