This month we are excited to feature our Youth Ambassadors as our January Cure Champions. This inspiring group of children and teens living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) represents JDRF at a variety of local events, advocates for the T1D community while supporting each other and helps raise funds for research. Meet some of our Youth Ambassadors below!

Kate Foster
I am currently in eighth grade. I have been living with T1D since 2017. I was diagnosed exactly one week after my 10th birthday on January 10. (My birthday is the 3rd!) I am new to the JDRF Youth Ambassador program and joined at the start of the pandemic back in March 2020. I have recently re-enrolled in art class.

I have been taking art classes ever since the age of 5. However, as I grew older, sports and other extracurriculars got in the way. Thankfully, I have reignited my passion for art and am now able to balance it with other activities. It really helps to ground me in stressful times such as these. I also adore reading! Currently, I am finishing up Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is a self-help book that revolves around creative living and pursuits. However, I have also been very interested in the classics recently, such as Jane Eyre and The Great Gatsby. I would highly recommend them! As for films and movies, I have not been watching many that are particularly amazing. But, during the holiday season, some of my favorite movies include Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer but anything on Hallmark tends to be relaxing and enjoyable!

A struggle for me has been managing my blood sugars with anxiety and stress. It is difficult for me personally, as my blood sugar spikes and drops drastically whenever I am nervous. Also, my hands usually shake all day long, so I can never tell if it is due to low blood sugar or just my body’s way of telling me that I am consuming too much caffeine!

Mia Hsieh
I am sophomore at Medway High School. I have had T1D for eight years and was diagnosed when I was seven years old. I just joined the Youth Ambassador program but have been involved in JDRF activities and the group since I was first diagnosed. Since quarantine started, I have started watching Criminal Minds and have also become obsessed with my puppy who we got during quarantine in May 2020.

Sinead Burnett
I am a senior in high school. I have had T1D for 16 years and was diagnosed a few months after my first birthday. I have been a JDRF Youth Ambassador since January 2019. This year during quarantine, I have been able to read a lot more and go running more often. My favorite book I have read this year was The Real All Americans.

A funny encounter with diabetes that I have had, in hindsight, happened when my family went on vacation. When I was younger my family took a trip to Disney, but when we would go to the theme parks I would get super nervous that I forgot to bring my blood testing kit or had left it somewhere, so every few minutes I would have to check my backpack to make sure I still had it!

If you are interested in learning more or joining the Youth Ambassador program, please visit jdrf.org/greaternewengland/p/jdrf-youth-ambassador-program.