Age: 11
Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

Nicole was diagnosed just two years ago, but in those two years, she has learned—and contributed—a great deal. “Being diagnosed has changed my life forever. I’ve learned many new things, the most important of which is responsibility.”

For starters, Nicole formed Kiki’s Krew, which sponsors a tennis tournament to raise funds for JDRF; held a color-war fundraiser at her school; and worked with her school’s administration to offer a $2-for-tee event, in which kids were permitted to wear regular shirts instead of their uniform shirts in exchange for donations. Since her diagnosis, she’s already raised $14,000 for JDRF, has spoken at her temple about T1D, and has found time to help out other causes close to her heart—participating in a letter-writing campaign for troops in Afghanistan, fundraising for other charities, and volunteering at a homeless shelter.