Meet our 2022 Youth Ambassadors!  We had so many talented, energetic kids apply to be part of our Youth Ambassador program.  We’d like to introduce you to the 12 kids representing JDRF Wisconsin this year!

Callie, 12 years old and in 6th grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because I enjoy educating people on what type one diabetes is.

Tenley is 8 years old and in 3rd grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador to help show that being T1D doesn’t make up who I am or what I am going to do.

Hadley is 14 years old and in 9th grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because I want to help more people understand diabetes and it’s effects. I think it would be amazing to help raise money for diabetes research so maybe in the future nobody will have to go through this disease. I love being positive and helping others so a big goal for me is to inspire other kids or help them through diabetes, and I think JDRF involvement will help me reach out. I want to tell my story so others will know they’re not alone.

Shelby is 17 years old and in 11th grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because I’ve been looking for ways to get involved in JDRF and the diabetic community for a little while now. When I was younger, I was part of Children’s Congress in Washington D.C. to speak to congress people about funding diabetes research. Additionally, I’ve gone to diabetes camp over the past several summers. The reason I included this information is to show the impact it’s had on me. Getting to know other individuals who understand what it is like to have diabetes is truly a life changing experience. I would want to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because I want other diabetics to understand they are not alone and there are people who can relate to them. Diabetes is a tricky disease to manage and I would want to help other diabetic youths feel heard and understood while learning to navigate treatment.

Lili is 17 years old and in 12th grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because In the midst of this global pandemic there have been so many questions about how COVID affects those with type 1 diabetes. As always, I am always looking for ways to share the knowledge I’ve gained from being involved with JDRF. Spreading awareness is such a big part of my life and has been for so many years. I hope to continue my efforts now and when I leave for college in the fall, and because I hope to attend UW-Madison, I should be able to continue mentoring the children I’ve met through our Outreach Support Group.

Grant is 17 years old and in 12th grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because I want to further the knowledge of type one diabetes research to those who don’t know of it and to tell my story to inspire others.

Maleena is 9 years old and in 5th grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because I want to help people learn how important it is to treasure the good times. I want people to know how it impacted my life and I want to share my story and help others that might go through it later, because you are never going to know when it (or something else) will pop out at you.

Mira is 15 years old and in 9th grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because I would like to be a JDRF ambassador to help support an organization that is doing amazing things for the type 1 diabetic community. I would like to be able to participate in events that help spread awareness for the disease and provide for those who do not have access to the resources that they need to help manage their diabetes. I have been extremely blessed to have the resources that I do to help manage my diabetes, and know that many are not as fortunate and struggle to get access to the things they need. The funding and research that JDRF is doing have the ability to impact and improve the lives of those struggling, and I would love to help support the organization.

Kash is 8 years old and in 2nd grade.

Kash is excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because he is passionate about T1D education. He’s proof that people with T1D can do anything. He is active (hockey, baseball, football) and has an amazing community of support behind him. He wants to continue educating so we can see increased funding for R&D.

Lena is 10 years old and in 5th grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because I want to meet other kids with T1D and be more involved with JDRF.

Paige is 10 years old and in 5th grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because I think that it is important to educate my community about Type 1 Diabetes and that even though there are some challenging days, kids with T1D can do any they set their mind to!

Meredith is 16 years old and in 10th grade.

I am excited to be a JDRF Youth Ambassador because I want to educate people on what type one diabetes really is. Also, I want to help families and kids who are struggling with diabetes. As a person who has had diabetes for 13 years, I feel like I know a lot about it and how to deal with the highs and lows.