Bella

New York 2025

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11 months

Bella is a graduating senior with plans to attend college to prepare for a career in advocacy or special education. In addition […] Read More

Jackson

New York 2025

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 17

Jackson is a 17-year-old junior at the Dwight School in New York City. When not playing ice hockey, teeing off on the golf […] Read More

Mary

New York 2025

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Mary has been living with T1D since she was 6 years old. Managing T1D hasn’t always been easy, especially during adolescence, but through […] Read More

Matthew

New York 2025

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Matthew is an avid history buff and sports enthusiast who threw out the first pitch at a New York Mets baseball game. He […] Read More

Nicholas

New York 2025

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Nicholas has lived with T1D since he was 6 and has already seen the amazing differences that new technology can make in managing […] Read More

Olivia

New York 2025

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Olivia, 17, is passionate about contemporary fiction and creative writing. She loves crafting stories that inspire and connect with others. When she’s not […] Read More

Olivia

New York 2025

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Olivia is an enthusiastic and passionate advocate for type 1 diabetes awareness and research. Diagnosed with T1D at 8, Olivia has worked hard […] Read More

Reuben

New York 2025

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Reuben is 16 years old and attends Brooklyn Technical High School. Outside and inside of school, he plays jazz piano and composes songs. […] Read More

Sean

New York 2025

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Sean was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just after turning 5 years old. Since his diagnosis, he has encountered people who have misconceptions […] Read More

Snow

New York 2025

Age: 6 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Snow is a vibrant, witty, wise beyond her years, passionate 6-year-old who loves to dance, sing, draw, and play with makeup. She’s also […] Read More

Ari

New York 2023

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Ari is very passionate about sports and is on a competitive travel baseball team. “I’m proud of being able to perform as an elite […] Read More

Ariel

New York 2023

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

It doesn’t matter if it’s managing life with T1D or spending 9 months working hard to recover from a ruptured ACL to return to […] Read More

Isabella

New York 2023

Age: 10 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Isabella started raising awareness for type 1 diabetes in the third grade, making posters for her class about the differences between hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. […] Read More

Jackie

New York 2023

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

Jackie loves exploring, whether it be destinations around the world or who she is as a person, she is always in the mood for […] Read More

Jayme

New York 2023

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

When Jayme was 13, she and her mom participated in a JDRF Ride and the support she experienced was inspiring. “For the first time […] Read More

JT

New York 2023

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

In the two years since he was diagnosed with T1D, JT has learned a lot about taking care of himself. This is especially true […] Read More

Max

New York 2023

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Max is a guy with a goal: to do whatever he can to further T1D research and contribute to the progress being made towards […] Read More

Nicholas

New York 2023

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Nicholas really likes to help with yard work, so much so that he is currently participating in the 50 Yard Challenge, mowing 50 yards […] Read More

Orli

New York 2023

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Orli wants to make the world a better place, using passion as her guiding value, and she’s well on her way to doing just […] Read More

Ben

New York 2019

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 10

After Ben was diagnosed with T1D, his parents had his three younger brothers tested for T1D autoantibodies, and his younger brother Zach turned […] Read More

Chandler

New York 2019

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

Chandler is a pro when it comes to public speaking. He has spoken at his church, had roles in several plays and has […] Read More

Emily

New York 2019

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Emily says that she doesn’t remember life without T1D, but while it’s her “normal,” she still has to think about it every second […] Read More

Evelyn

New York 2019

Age: 8 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Evelyn is a shining light for other kids with T1D. She loves making new friends and being part of the Sugar Free Gang, […] Read More

Luke

New York 2019

Age: 12 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

When Luke was diagnosed with T1D just after his first birthday, his family was all too familiar with T1D; Luke’s father, uncle and […] Read More

Marin

New York 2019

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Marin is passionate about T1D technologies and research advancements, and helping to ensure that the T1D community has access to devices that make […] Read More

Max

New York 2019

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Max has a busy schedule participating in student council, lacrosse, basketball, cross country and the International Club. Max also makes time for raising […] Read More

Merrill

New York 2019

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 15 months

Merrill is thrilled to be coming back to Washington, D.C. with her family for her second JDRF Children’s Congress. In the ten […] Read More

Sarah

New York 2019

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Sarah is a motivated young woman who seizes every opportunity to benefit her community. She stays busy outside of school through basketball, soccer, […] Read More

Sophie

New York 2019

Age: 12 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Sophie is a creative girl with a passion for all things relating to the arts. She loves reading, writing, drawing and photography. Sophie […] Read More

Ari

New York 2017

Age: 10 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 13 months

Ten-year-old Ari estimates he has tested his blood sugar some 30,000 times in his life and endured 2,000 insulin pump site changes. […] Read More

Daniel

New York 2017

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Daniel wrote the book about living with T1D. Literally. As part of his mission to raise awareness about T1D, Daniel wrote a book […] Read More

Drew

New York 2017

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

Academics are very important to Drew—and his GPA is proof of that. He also loves wrestling, which has become more manageable since he […] Read More

Ethan

New York 2017

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

Ethan accidentally diagnosed himself with T1D. He was helping his younger brother, Ari, test his glucose level, and decided on the spur of […] Read More

Hannah

New York 2017

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Making the world a better place is a top priority for Hannah. As an aspiring human rights activist, Hannah works to make a […] Read More

Kennedy

New York 2017

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Kennedy and her mom share more than the typical mother/daughter bond. The two of them also have T1D in common—as well as a […] Read More

Mason

New York 2017

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

Mason loves to play soccer with his travel team, ride dirt bikes and play Xbox. He recently took part in a 10-day long […] Read More

Matthew

New York 2017

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Matthew enjoys traveling, golf, basketball, and community service, specifically tutoring under-privileged kids. This year, he started a JDRF club at his high school. […] Read More

Philip

New York 2017

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Philip is a junior in high school who plays volleyball and basketball. He also really loves driving, he says, “I am a typical […] Read More

Sofia

New York 2017

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Sofia loves speaking different languages, such as Yiddish and Chinese, and taking pictures on the streets of her native New York City. She […] Read More

Analeigh

New York 2015

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Analeigh draws her strength from her swim team experience. Her signature event is a 20–lap race. “So many people are impressed when they […] Read More

Ashley

New York 2015

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

Award–winning advocate Ashley has earned honors from the Pediatric Diabetes Program at Winthrop University for her “tireless effort and support of children with […] Read More

Ben

New York 2015

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Ben knows the power of pairs when it comes to managing T1D. He founded Ben’s Friends Buddy Program, affiliated with the JDRF New […] Read More

Evan

New York 2015

Age: 7 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Evan’s made the front page! He was featured in the Wall Street Journal last year for his contributions to T1D technology. Evan himself […] Read More

Jessica

New York 2015

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Jessica dives headfirst into all her activities: Model UN, crew and the Girls Learn International Club. A certified scuba diver, Jessica has been […] Read More

Kaelyn

New York 2015

Age: 7 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

“My type 1 diabetes does not stop me from doing anything,” declares Kaelyn. “I know, because Mom and Dad tell me that I […] Read More

Mathias

New York 2015

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

Mathias and his sister founded Sweet Siblings (sweetsiblings.org), a site available in English and Spanish that helps newly diagnosed kids and teens and […] Read More

Rowan

New York 2015

Age: 11 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 10

Although Rowan wasn’t diagnosed until recently, she has been involved with JDRF from the very beginning. Her older brother learned that he had […] Read More

Ryan

New York 2015

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 16

A natural leader, Ryan is a senior cadet in a JROTC program with the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, where he oversees […] Read More

Zacharey

New York 2015

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

“I have not stopped doing the things I love or stopped living since my diagnosis,” proudly states Zack. “It has motivated me to […] Read More

Angel

New York 2013

Age: 12 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 10

As a football player and advocate for T1D, depression, and bullying awareness, Angel is tackling big challenges. “Being a delegate is important to […] Read More

Haley

New York 2013

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Haley understands the devastation T1D can wreak on families, yet uses it as motivation for her advocacy. Her older sister Karissa also has […] Read More

Hana

New York 2013

Age: 8 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

Hana wants to raise awareness and find a cure for T1D, so that the questions—and the frustrations—can stop. “When we went to the […] Read More

Joshua

New York 2013

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Joshua remembers one of the early battles after his T1D diagnosis. He and his parents wanted a certain type of pump, but their […] Read More

Max

New York 2013

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

Max finds unexpected creativity in his T1D. “I realized I could use living with this disease as a source of inspiration.” His documentary, […] Read More

Melissa

New York 2013

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Melissa has tirelessly raised more than $20,000 for JDRF through bake sales and lemonade stands, but she comes to Children’s Congress realizing that […] Read More

Patrick

New York 2013

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

Patrick dreams about how a cure for his disease could transform daily life for him and other children coping with T1D. “I pray […] Read More

Sydney

New York 2013

Age: 9 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

Sydney is the only kid at her school with T1D, but because of her efforts, her classmates and teachers know a great deal […] Read More

Will

New York 2013

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Will loves to try new things—he enjoys bowling, golf, ice skating, fishing, coin collecting, and video games, to name a few. But if […] Read More

Caitlyn

New York 2011

Each year since her diagnosis at age eight, Caitlyn has set up a lemonade stand in front of her house to raise money for JDRF. The one-day-a-year stand's revenue jumped […] Read More

Jason

New York 2011

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 […] Read More

Kristine

New York 2011

Kristine has lived with diabetes for seven years, but says, "Even with the struggles, I haven't stopped with anything I try to achieve." A couple years ago, Kristine grew tired […] Read More

Michael

New York 2011

Amazingly, Liam has raised more than $200,000 for diabetes research. He wants to encourage Congress to give more money to diabetes research, and would like to strengthen anti-discrimination laws. Read More

Nickolas

New York 2011

Nick has been living with diabetes since he was three. So when his older sister, Samantha, was diagnosed years later, Nick was able to give support as someone who had […] Read More

Rachel

New York 2011

An active advocate for type 1 diabetes causes since her diagnosis at age 10, Rachel has participated in support groups and attended many events to educate her community. Rachel has […] Read More

Rohan

New York 2011

Rohan asks Congress to join his extended family of advocates for and supporters of type 1 diabetes research. Diagnosed at age two, he has seen how powerful it can be […] Read More

Samantha

New York 2011

Samantha was already familiar with diabetes when she was diagnosed at age 13; her younger brother was diagnosed when he was three. Adjusting to diabetes was not always easy, but, […] Read More

Samuel

New York 2011

At 21 months old, Sam was Piglet for Halloween. Piglet with an IV, that is. He was still in the hospital following a type 1 diagnosis he'd recently received. By […] Read More