Age: 17
Age at Diagnosis: 11

Brooklyn enjoys playing tennis and volleyball, spending time with her friends and family, shopping, riding her bike, baking, and volunteering. Brooklyn is incredibly proud of the things she’s accomplished, but there’s something she’s especially proud of, and that’s how she has learned to manage T1D on her own. A few years ago, Brooklyn’s mother had to spend a few months away from home with her sister who was undergoing treatment and surgery for cancer. Up until then, Brooklyn’s mom had been her right hand when it came to T1D management, but she had to learn how to do things on her own while her mom was away.

Brooklyn is grateful for advancements in technology that have made managing T1D a little easier, and she’s looking forward to coming to Washington, D.C. to push for more improvements in T1D therapies, and research that will lead to cures. “When I was diagnosed, my doctor told me I had to think like a pancreas, and I’ve found that thinking like a pancreas isn’t easy! I believe that with continued dedication to supporting research, a cure will become a reality, not just a dream!”