Bella Raymond recently became a Gold Award Girl Scout, the highest honor one can receive as a Girl Scout. As part of her Gold Award Project, Bella created “Supporting the T1D CommUNITY” as a way to bring the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community together & help provide resources for those managing the disease. Bella was diagnosed with T1D in 2016 & has made advocacy and volunteering an important part of her life ever since.

Bella shared the following about her project:

“Supporting the T1D CommUNITY is a project that’s aim is to positively affect the lives of T1Ds and their families. When I was diagnosed at the age of 10 I immediately had this passion to help others like me that did not have the strength to do so. When it came time to pick a topic for my Gold Award for Girl Scouts it was a no brainer that I wanted it to benefit the T1D community. I had an amazing and understanding support system which made my transition easy and I want to be able to provide that to others in any way I can. The packet has been in collaboration with endocrinologists, dietitians, nurses, and most importantly other families. Having support from others who have already gone through it and understand is crucial to the mental barriers and adaptation needed that come with a chronic illness diagnosis.”

You can read Bella’s packet at this LINK and find her Supporting the T1D CommUNITY Blog on Blogspot & Facebook.