New DC Young Leadership Committee (YLC) co-chair Leyla Mansour-Cole: I was diagnosed with T1D when I was six. When I was diagnosed, my family and I were living in Cincinnati Ohio, but within that same year, we moved to rural Indiana. Because we were in such a small community, I grew up without knowing any other T1Ds. It was hard to manage the ups and downs because I felt like I was the only one in the world dealing with it. I got a pump in fifth grade and wore it continuously for 15 years before taking my first ever “pump break.” After college, my husband and I moved to DC for me to attend law school at American University. I graduated in 2015 and now I do legal work for a federal agency. I currently use a Dexcom G4 (still waiting on that upgrade approval!) and Omnipod.

Why JDRF? I support JDRF because the organization has been a tremendous boon to me and my family. An Ohio JDRF chapter reached out to my parents right after I was diagnosed and gave them so much love. Their support ranged from giving advice to baking casseroles. I went into a coma at the time of my diagnosis, and my parents were incredibly scared. The support they got from the JDRF community helped them through an extremely difficult time. For me, growing up without other T1Ds was so isolating, and now I know how important it is to be around other people who “get it.” I truly believe that being a part of a larger community of people going through the same things you’re going through makes a big difference in quality of life. So I’m grateful that JDRF brings people together who share experiences and passions.

What do you look forward to in your new volunteer role as YLC co-chair?

YLC had some exciting fundraisers last year that we’re really excited to bring back, and we’re adding new events to our calendar all the time. I’m looking forward to seeing some new faces at our meetings and collaborating with area groups to make our events bigger than ever. Mostly, I’m excited to work with my new co-chairs to make this year a great one!

Veteran DC YLC co-chair Katie Fitz-Kidera: I was diagnosed T1D on my 23rd birthday, the 3rd sister in my family to have T1D.  I currently live in Arlington, VA with my husband, Steve, and our new baby girl, Rory. I grew up in Potomac, MD, and graduated from Clemson University in 2009. I work as an Insurance Broker for All Risks, Ltd, and in my free time enjoy baking, trying out new restaurants in DC, taking work out classes and trips to Hilton Head, SC!

Why JDRF? JDRF has been a part of my life for over 15 years.  When my youngest sister was diagnosed, I started to get involved in the JDRF gift wraps during the holiday season and also participated in the JDRF One Walk with my family.  I was diagnosed after college at 23, so there was a huge life adjustment for me.  Staying involved in JDRF allowed me to meet great people who helped me with the transition.  Once I joined YLC, I finally felt like I had a sounding board and friends who understood what I was going through. It’s great to know that there are people I can talk to about the struggles and successes of living with T1D.

What do you look forward to in your new volunteer role as YLC co-chair?

As co-chair, I hope that we can continue to bring together other young professionals who want to learn more about T1D and have fun doing it in a relaxed, social setting.  It’s a great way to meet new people in the DC area, try out new bars, and relieve a little stress that can build up when fighting T1D.

Veteran DC YLC co-chair Khristine Agnello: I’ve been living in DC for five years and volunteering with JDRF and the YLC for four years. I had never been involved with JDRF before moving to DC, but I have grown to love the organization and the people I work with while volunteering.

Why JDRF? I have had T1D since I was four years old, and I am passionate about finding a cure, educating people, advancing better treatments, and serving the T1D community. JDRF does all these things, and more – I am proud to be a volunteer!

What do you look forward to in your volunteer role as YLC co-chair? I’m proud of what we have already accomplished: annual educational seminars, quarterly happy hours, new member outreach, and focusing on larger fundraisers (like our first boat cruise on the Potomac last spring). In addition to those activities, I look forward to greater recruitment of members and partnerships with other interested organizations, such as the College Diabetes Network, Delta Tau Delta, and Maryland office of the GCP chapter.