Age: 12
Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

Natalie has enjoyed running for many years, and has refused to let T1D stop her. In fact, just two years ago, she ran a 5K with her mom and competed in a cross country meet for her school, all within a week of her T1D diagnosis. She placed second at the district finals for cross country, runs track at her school, sings in choir and in her school’s musicals, plays clarinet in the band and is an editor for her school’s newspaper. Natalie has learned that it takes strength to do the things she loves while still taking care of her health, and wants to do all she can to help ensure those with T1D can successfully manage the disease. Natalie says, “When I grow up, I want to be an endocrinologist, because I want to help people with T1D like me.”