Jason was diagnosed with type 1 at age four, and with celiac disease at nine. The combination makes managing diabetes a challenge – one that has inspired Jason to make a difference.

Jason was diagnosed with type 1 at age four, and with celiac disease at nine. The combination makes managing diabetes a challenge – one that has inspired Jason to make a difference. When he heard of a family in his community whose three children have celiac disease, and whose youngest, Ari, was also diagnosed with diabetes, Jason volunteered to babysit twice a month, greatly helping out Ari's mother. "I look at Ari and I see myself," says Jason, who also babysits other children with diabetes. "Taking care of Ari has helped me understand the importance of promoting diabetes awareness." Jason has spoken at several JDRF fundraising events, and urged his Congresswoman to support federal funding of diabetes research through the Promise to Remember Me Campaign. He is also an editor and leader on his school's newspaper and plays on his school's basketball team.