Age: 16
Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

When it comes to Alex’s T1D, the gloves are off. As this talented athlete puts it, “I am determined not to let this disease stop me from living.” Alex coaches and plays hockey, and hopes to play the game in college and eventually in the National Hockey League. He also enjoys football, baseball, and golf, and is an honor-roll student. He expertly combines his love of sports with T1D awareness by participating in events like JDRF Walks and the Fore the Cure Golf Tournaments. He and his family also organize a Utah Grizzlies hockey fundraiser, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting JDRF. The kids who participate even get to ride the Zamboni!

At Children’s Congress, he says, “My goal is to try to make Congress understand what it is truly like to have type 1 diabetes.”