Illinois

Adam

Illinois, 2025

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Adam is an extremely social kid with a heart of gold and not a mean bone in his body. He loves spending time... Read More

Clementine

Illinois, 2025

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 10

Clementine is a self-proclaimed “theater kid.” She loves to sing, act, and play the guitar. She also helps spread awareness about T1D on... Read More

Elijah

Illinois, 2025

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

Elijah recently completed his sophomore season of cross country, where he earned a spot on the State Playoff Series team. He loves to... Read More

Edgar

Illinois, 2023

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Edgar has two parents, two sisters, and two dogs, and describes them as a team when it comes to supporting Edgar managing life with... Read More

Izzy

Illinois, 2023

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

Izzy has always had one goal: to not let T1D stand in her way or prevent her from accomplishing anything, and she achieves that... Read More

Josie

Illinois, 2023

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

When Josie’s former state senator asked her to talk about living with T1D at a press conference, she jumped at the chance. “I was... Read More

Teagan

Illinois, 2023

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Teagan is extremely passionate about water polo and has played in the National Tournament in California and competed at the Junior Olympics. Teagan is... Read More

Abigael

Illinois, 2019

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Abigael is a very passionate person. She is deeply involved in many activities, from her varsity tennis team, to playing flute and piccolo... Read More

Jackie

Illinois, 2019

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Jackie is an honors student, a freshman class officer, a member of the Spanish Club, Pep Club and show choir, and competes in... Read More

Morgan

Illinois, 2019

Age: 10 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Morgan is a lively 10-year-old who enjoys dancing, playing tennis and hanging out with her friends. She was also selected by one of... Read More

Owen

Illinois, 2019

Age: 7 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

It is rare to find a seven-year-old as well-spoken and charismatic as Owen, who was diagnosed with T1D when he was just two.... Read More

Grace

Illinois, 2017

Age: 13 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Grace is a straight-A student who enjoys playing volleyball, doing gymnastics and attending diabetes camp every summer. When she grows up she would... Read More

Lauren

Illinois, 2017

Age: 12 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 7

Lauren enjoys soccer, basketball, swimming and skiing. Her favorite music is the soundtrack from Hamilton. When she grows up, Lauren wants to create... Read More

Leah

Illinois, 2017

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

After her diagnosis with T1D, Leah had to make a decision: take control of her T1D or let it dominate her life. Leah... Read More

Matthew

Illinois, 2017

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Matthew likes to play drums, ride his bike and hang out with friends. He is also very proud to be a part of... Read More

Cooper

Illinois, 2015

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

While Cooper is grateful for his insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor, he’s holding out hope for a cure. “In some ways diabetes... Read More

Emily

Illinois, 2015

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

All of the kids in Emily’s family live with T1D. Emily, her older sister and her younger brother have all been diagnosed with... Read More

Mason

Illinois, 2015

Age: 12 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 11 months

Mason believes T1D is nothing to shelter others from: “I don’t hide my disease,” he says. “I check my blood sugar in... Read More

Quinn

Illinois, 2015

Age: 10 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

Quinn loves the limelight. She has written a screenplay, “Super Duper Low,” about T1D, which was made into a movie that “teaches kids... Read More

Thomas

Illinois, 2015

Age: 16 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 13

Golf, track, wrestling, half–marathon running: Tommy tackles sports, and his T1D, head–on. “Since my diagnosis, I have jumped into managing my type 1... Read More

Catherine

Illinois, 2013

Age: 15 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

Catherine was only two years old when she diagnosed herself. Her older sister Elizabeth had just been diagnosed with T1D, and Catherine wanted... Read More

Colin

Illinois, 2013

Age: 9 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 1

Colin dreams of a world without T1D. He hopes to become an inventor or engineer to find a way to make living with... Read More

Elizabeth

Illinois, 2013

Age: 17 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 3

Elizabeth has taken great leaps toward her dream of becoming a doctor. She learned about glucose stimulation as an intern in the Islet... Read More

Emily

Illinois, 2013

Age: 14 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

There’s one essential component that keeps Emily going despite the obstacles she faces managing her T1D. It’s simple: “Hope for the future, near... Read More

Klaire

Illinois, 2013

Age: 4 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Klaire may be young, but she has a big heart. A helper by nature, Klaire loves to help take care of little babies—she... Read More

Morgan

Illinois, 2013

Age: 7 | Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

At only seven years old, Morgan has told her family that she “wants to do whatever it takes to help and make a... Read More

Aubrey

Illinois, 2011

"When I got diabetes, I thought I would never be able to do anything," Aubrey says. "But the truth is that type 1 diabetes only made me stronger." Diagnosed at... Read More

Caitlin

Illinois, 2011

"My aspirations are to be a kind person and a friend to everyone, and to make my community more aware of what type 1 diabetes really is," Caitlin says. Diagnosed... Read More

Hailey

Illinois, 2011

Friendship and togetherness have proven to be sources of extraordinary strength for Hailey. Diagnosed with type 1 at age three, she was not always met with immediate understanding by other... Read More

Justin

Illinois, 2011

Inspired by his own endocrinologist, Justin hopes to pursue a medical degree and help others with diabetes. He already takes action at school, educating staff and students, rallying participation in... Read More

Kelsey

Illinois, 2011

Kelsey remembers the sunny day when, in 45 minutes, she went from being a healthy nine-year-old to a child with type 1. She hoped no other child would have to... Read More