Julia Hipperling

T1D HERO

Hi, my name is Ginnine Hipperling.  My daughter Julia was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 7 months old.  It was a very scary time for me – we were in the PICU for 5 days, she went unconscious for a while in severe DKA and I thought I was going to lose my little baby.

Julia is my T1D hero because everyday since diagnosis she fights for her life.  She fights with high and low sugar.  She fights with feeling thirsty, stomachaches, weakness, headaches, mood swings and much more.  Since the moment Julia could talk she has been open about her diagnosis and became a youth ambassador for JDRF.  She has a team in the Walk for Cure every year.  She speaks a gatherings and conferences to bring awareness, support and talk about diabetes.

On top of everything Julia does for the JDRF community she has accomplished so much in her 12 years.  She does not let her diagnosis stop her from doing what she wants.  She has been a cheerleader, goalie on 2 different lacrosse teams, student body president for her elementary school, plays flute and is in chorus, is on honor roll principals list in school as well as winning different awards for achievements.  Julia has said she wants to be a pediatrician since she was little and I believe with determination and spirit she will accomplish anything she puts her mind to.  She is my hero!

Vincent Maltese

T1D HERO

My name is Vincent Maltese and I am currently a junior at Villanova University School of Business ’21. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during my freshman year of high school at only 15 years old. My story with T1D stresses the significance of adaptability, commitment and hope and it also JDRF’s role in providing a supportive community to turn Type One into Type None.

Upon hearing the news that I was diagnosed with T1D, I was in disbelief that I would need to be treated for a chronic illness for the rest of my life. In the beginning of my diagnosis I questioned, “Why me? Why am I the victim of this disease?” Diabetes came to me like an unexpected pop quiz: you aren’t ready for the news and you’re immediately overwhelmed.

In a matter of hours, I was taught a different routine and lifestyle. From checking blood sugars before every meal, driving, sports and working out to counting carbohydrates in all types of foods, diabetes presented new obstacles and experiences. As a high school baseball player, I related my diagnosis to telling a player that he can no longer hit with his dominant side and must train the opposite one.

At JDRF, I was introduced to an understanding team of people, each invested in making a life with T1D stress free. Having a platform to communicate with individuals who are understanding of the lifestyle changes necessary to living well with T1D creates an incredible support system that makes this transition almost seamless. JDRF plays a significant role in providing comfort to any family who is burdened by the disease, especially mine.

Sarah Mulligan

T1D HERO

On December 23, 2010, I was diagnosed with T1D at 4 years old. My family and I have participated in many events with JDRF every year since. I had to learn and become responsible for managing my BG at a very young age. However, I have taken on that responsibility because I want to be independent and participate in activities such as basketball and soccer. Together, my family and I have learned how the human body reacts to different everyday situations. We have adapted to a different type of lifestyle and we learn something every day about how our choices really do matter.

The Dexcom and Omnipod have made a great impact on my life making living with T1D easier for me. The communication between the two devices allow me and my parents to sleep better at night. It’s comforting to know that my parents can follow my BG numbers while I’m at school and they are at work. The communication allows for me to have better control of my BG. And I feel so much better in so many ways when my BG is under control.

Daniel Briskman

T1D HERO

Hi! My name is Daniel Briskman, and one change that has made a huge impact on my living with Type 1 Diabetes is the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor, or CGM. Before we used the Dexcom, I had to prick my fingers to check my blood sugar whenever I had a meal or a snack in order to give the proper amount of insulin. Now, I rarely have to prick my fingers!

Instead, I check what blood sugar my CGM says and just use that. This has made living with T1D much easier because if I feel hungry, I can easily just start eating like anyone else rather than having to take out my supplies, replace the needle, insert the test strip and prick my fingers. It is also convenient because during physical activity—for me, this would be table tennis, volleyball, or dance—I can see what direction my blood sugar is going in and drink juice preemptively if my blood sugar is going down so I can prevent a low. Soon, the Dexcom will be integrated with the Omnipod, which will make an even bigger difference in my life. I’m looking forward to it!

Hannah Cohen

T1D HERO

Almost 6 years ago our brave beautiful girl was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and our lives changed forever.  It has been 6 years of sleepless nights, dangerous lows, worrisome highs, a modified lifestyle, Hannah not just being a ‘normal’ kid, and still no cure.  We have been discriminated against and have spent time in the hospital, because a simple stomach virus isn’t so simple for someone living with T1D.

We fundraise and walk with JDRF to raise money and awareness, because this disease will not cure itself, nor will technology improve if we don’t work for it.  We have seen firsthand how the funds we raise make a difference.  Hannah wears two medical devices on her body; an Omnipod insulin pump and a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor (“CGM”).  These devices help make diabetes a little easier to manage.  We have seen tremendous advances in 6 years, especially with her Dexcom.  We are required to insert a Dexcom sensor every 10 days, which is painful.   Dexcom gives us vital information about her sugar levels and how she is trending.  We view this information on our iPhone.  Just a few years ago, this technology wasn’t available.  We sat outside Hannah’s pre-k classroom, waiting and praying.  Wearing these devices makes living with diabetes more manageable, but they are not even close to perfect.

We continue to fundraise with JDRF for Hannah and all the others who desperately need and deserve a cure.

James Tourin

T1D HERO

Life with Type 1 Diabetes has been very challenging since I was diagnosed when I was four years old.  It is never easy for a diabetic when your worries consist of rapid blood sugar fluctuations and constant carbohydrate counting.  At the beginning of my experience, I didn’t even have an insulin pump. It was hard during that time to keep track of how much insulin I was getting and what my blood sugar was. Fortunately, I was able to get an insulin pump which made it so much easier to give myself insulin throughout the day. However, I still had to test my blood sugar constantly because we were never able to know exactly what it was.  This is why the guardian sensor has been the most important innovation in my life. When used properly, it is able to give me an accurate reading of my blood sugar and adapt the insulin delivery based on any changes. This is perfect for my lifestyle with school and many other activities throughout the day. I hope that every diabetic will be able to have access to life changing technology such as the guardian sensor.   My A1C has never been in a better range which gives me confidence that this technology will protect diabetics from long term health risks associated with poorly controlled diabetes.

Victoria Barretta

T1D HERO

My T1D hero is my beautiful daughter Victoria.  She is eight years old now, diagnosed at 5.  Prior to Type 1 Diabetes it took 2 nurses to hold her down for a flu shot.  At a very young age she has taught me, perseverance, bravery, tenacity and so much more.  I know Type 1 Diabetes will not define her, stop her, or crush her dreams, I know she will go on to do great things.  But as her Mom I also know the struggles, I watch them every moment, every day.  That statement alone makes my heart skip a beat.  These children, teens, and now adults living with Type 1 Diabetes face an uncertain future.  Yes they have a disease that is “manageable”  they also have a disease that is fatal.  It is every day, it is every moment.  Type 1 diabetes does not take a vacation and you can never let your guard down.  No 2 hours are the same.

This is why it is so important to raise awareness and funds for a cure.  JDRF works tirelessly to help find a cure.  Even in these uncertain, unprecedented times they figured out a way to have a Virtual Fundraising event –  isn’t that amazing!  I thank you for your continued financial support and the drive in finding a cure.  I thank every one on our JDRF team who amazingly pull off the best fundraisers and One Walk extravaganzas.  I thank them especially this year as this pandemic has affected us all in different ways they wouldn’t let this year just pass as something they had no control over, NO they all found a way to continue to raise money and awareness to turn Type 1 into Type None.

Thank you again, in my prayers you all will always be!  I am looking forward to the day when we can all say, we supported the JDRF team, and eradicated Juvenile Diabetes!  Stay safe and healthy my friends !

Nina Matusiak

T1D HERO

I was diagnosed with type one diabetes on July 12, 2018. I began showing symptoms around April of 2018. In June, it became more noticeable that I was drinking a lot more and began thinking it was strange but my family and I brushed it off because we figured it was simply because it was getting warmer out. I began drinking to the point where I was nauseous and that was when I realized something was not right.

After my mom found me lying in my laundry basket because I was too fatigued to get up, we went to the doctor. There, they checked my blood sugar which was 588. I was sent to the hospital where they checked my A1C which was 14.7.

Two months after the diagnosis I was put on the Omnipod and Dexcom which made everything easier and safer to manage. With the support from all of my friends and family, I was able to adjust to my new normal and these devices made it even easier.

We were also introduced to JDRF which really helped me adjust to this new normal. I met so many people who were just like me. I had a support system which helped make living with T1D even easier.

Alyssa Reifer

T1D HERO

I was diagnosed on May 19, 2018, exactly 2 years ago from when I’m writing right now.  At first I was petrified and didn’t know why this happened to me.  I was scared of needles and anything to do with blood.  I soon learned how to take care of myself and face all of the challenges diabetes caused.  Which was basically everything.  I was living in a world where no one knew what I was going through and I had to educate every single person in my life all about diabetes.

That’s why JDRF is so important, to educate and inform and to give people newly diagnosed a place to go.  It took a long time for me to accept that I have Type 1 diabetes.  For me to allow this disease to be a part of who I am.  I’ve learned that I am stronger because of this disease and the things that diabetes had pushed me to do.  This helped me realize how important my friends and family are because they are the ones that have helped me through it. Diabetes is difficult, and it is really annoying sometimes.  It also has helped me grow as a person.