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 to leading the local Breakthrough T1D Connections children’s support group, she is involved in Unified Sports and the Youth Activation Committee, which advocates for the respect, inclusion, and acceptance of all people, regardless of their abilities. She loves to travel and learn about new cultures, and her recent favorite destination is St. George, Bermuda. Bella is most proud of leading the Capital District of NY Cold Blue Project, which has served the needs of hundreds of homeless women since 2019.

Bella was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 11 months and has the distinction of being the youngest child in our community to go on an insulin pump. Advances in glucose monitoring devices, insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery systems over the past 16 years have allowed her to achieve autonomy in her diabetes care without sacrificing safety—and to freely seek her next adventure.