The passionate volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, expertise and resources toward achieving our shared vision of a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D) are the force behind JDRF. Volunteers fill a myriad of roles locally, regionally and nationally, from delivering Bags of Hope to newly diagnosed children and their families to organizing fundraising events to serving on the JDRF International Board of Directors.

In honor of National Volunteer Week, we are proud to feature a few of the many volunteers who go above and beyond in their efforts to make life better for every person touched by T1D.

Darren Bolton

JDRF volunteers don’t have to be at events to make a difference. Darren Bolton has helped countless individuals living with T1D while sitting at his computer as a member of the Online Diabetes Support Team (ODST).

ODST provides a place for the T1D community to connect with and pose questions to compassionate volunteers who know first-hand the ever changing demands of living with T1D. Inquiries can range from “I’m considering switching to a pump and would like to know what kinds are available” to “I’m having a difficult time managing my diabetes and would like to talk with someone.” As a person living with T1D, Darren has spent years fielding these questions and responding with expertise and empathy.

“It’s rewarding to be able to set people’s minds at ease,” Darren says, “to let them know that all the T1D anomalies, as hard and weird as they are to manage, are just part of living with this disease. That peace of mind means a lot.”

Paula Fairchild

Thirteen years ago when Paula Fairchild’s daughter was diagnosed with T1D, she already had a pretty good idea of how demanding everyday life would be moving forward; her sister had been diagnosed a few years prior. It wasn’t until Paula’s daughter participated in the JDRF 2007 Children’s Congress that she realized how critical Advocacy was–and how significant of an impact she could make as a JDRF Advocate.

Since 2007, Paula has served as an Advocacy Team Chair, working with the Grassroots Advocacy Team and fellow constituents to schedule meetings with legislators regarding the critical role the Federal Government plays in advancing T1D research. In 2010, she joined the Grassroots Leadership Team; organizing JDRF Advocates across the Midwest to cultivate bipartisan support for JDRF’s Advocacy efforts like the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program.

“Our voices do matter,” Paula says. “If we all sit idly by, our message doesn’t get promoted and advanced.”

Jennifer McGuire

When Jennifer McGuire’s son was diagnosed with T1D in 2013, she did not immediately get involved in JDRF. It wasn’t until she attended her first Gala that she saw where she could make a difference. She recalls, “Attending my first Gala was a defining moment for me. I knew that was my purpose.”

Once she committed to serving as a Gala volunteer, it didn’t take Jennifer long to accept a leadership role as co-chair for the Hope Gala in Charlotte, North Carolina. Under her direction the Gala raised $2.1 million for T1D research that year – the chapter’s most successful Gala to date.

“My whole family and I are committed,” Jennifer says. “We are all in: Gala, Walk, Advocacy–anything we can do to help find a cure.”

Charlie McCarter

For years, Charlie McCarter was familiar with JDRF through his work, but he didn’t give much thought to JDRF’s mission and impact. That all changed when his son Duncan was diagnosed at 16 months.

JDRF Outreach Volunteers were at the hospital to offer resources and support when Duncan was diagnosed, and it didn’t take long for Charlie and his entire family to transition from event-attendees to volunteer leaders. Soon, Charlie was a member of the chapter board and set a new fundraising record as chair of the local JDRF One Walk® .

“Being a volunteer,” says Charlie, “is making a difference beyond just writing a check. I enjoy tackling what seems to be an insurmountable challenge and working towards it. I want my son to live a great life with as little interference from T1D as possible. Everything we do at JDRF contributes towards that goal.”

JDRF was founded by and continues to be led by dedicated volunteers like these. We are incredibly grateful for all that our volunteers have done and continue to do to turn Type One into Type None; their passion is instrumental to the progress of our mission and we’re honored to celebrate them during National Volunteer Week and every day.