Scattered around the conference table at JDRF’s monthly Young Leadership Committee (YLC) meeting is a motley crew of NYC professionals affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D.) Some of those in the room have siblings or parents with T1D, while others attend to support their spouses or significant others. However, most of the members sport insulin pumps and CGMs themselves; the decades-long veterans working in tandem with the newly-diagnosed, all present to help find a cure for T1D.

And then there’s Justin Goetzmann.

Justin doesn’t have T1D, nor do any of his family members. Yet almost every month he devoutly commutes into Manhattan from New Jersey for these YLC meetings, working tirelessly alongside the rest of the committee to raise awareness and funds for T1D research. Although he doesn’t know exactly what it’s like to bear the daily burden of T1D, Justin’s dedication to JDRF is synonymous with his loyalty to Olivier Altman: his childhood best friend who tragically passed away from T1D complications in 2004.

“If anybody was lucky enough to meet [Olivier], even for a minute, he could change the way they looked at the world,” says Justin of his late friend who—despite battling both T1D and Hodgkin’s disease during his lifetime—was an accomplished chef, serving as the Executive Chef at Duke University, and the Chef Manager for Aramark during the 2004 Olympics in Greece.

“I believe you can never truly put yourself in someone else’s shoes,” says Justin, “but I went through the ups and downs alongside Olivier, and I saw how difficult it can be to live with type one diabetes.”

For that reason, Justin has been an active member of YLC and JDRF for the last four years, fundraising thousands of dollars for YLC—including $2,000 for their signature One Night event this past year—and participating in the Manhattan One Walk to benefit T1D research.

“Everyone on the YLC is so committed,” says Justin. “Nobody takes a sad spin. It’s more about what we can do to make people’s lives better, and that’s what inspires me.”

While Justin honors Olivier in the Metropolitan area, Dylan Altman, one of Olivier’s older brothers, is doing the same in Nashville Tennessee, using his musical talent to benefit JDRF’s Ride to Cure Diabetes program and share his brother’s story along the way.

“He was a really tough kid, Olivier. He had an amazing spirit,” says Dylan. “And now to see Justin so involved in his memory is wonderful. Every time I hear about him riding that train into the city for [YLC] it makes me smile.”

Ten years later, Dylan and Justin are continuing Olivier’s legacy of improving the lives of those around them, both within and outside the type 1 diabetes community. They’re also serving as a source of inspiration for other YLC members–regardless of their T1D connection–and for that, JDRF and all who know Justin and Dylan count themselves lucky as well.

“Being involved with JDRF and the YLC has been a wonderful way for me to remember Olivier in a positive light,” says Justin. “Whether I’m directly or indirectly involved, I’m trying to help people affected by diabetes have a better quality of life.”

-Written by Samantha Willner

 Get Empowered. 

A diagnosis of T1D at any age—whether for you or a family member—can feel scary, overwhelming, and confusing. Luckily, JDRF is here to help you navigate life after diagnosis. Through our many community outreach programs we can help you transition from overwhelmed and confused to educated, engaged, and ultimately, empowered.