T1D Strong

03/15/2026

"When I was in the fourth grade, I got my first full-time job. It came with no breaks, no pay, a retirement plan promised in five years that never arrived, medical responsibilities I wasn’t qualified for, and pressure to grow up fast.

At age 10, my mom and I were told the thing that no parent wants to hear, and no child should have to understand: 'You have type 1 diabetes.' My blood sugar levels were over 500 mg/dL at the time of my diagnosis.

I spent a week in a hospital that January, hooked up to an IV that irritated my tiny arm, learning all about what my life would be from there on. I’ll never forget practicing injections on an orange. It was my first feeling of remorse and numbness that I can recall from such a young age.

Little did I realize that my character would be tested again after diagnosis. At 10, I didn’t realize that my diagnosis was the start of my story. It felt like the end."

🔗 https://bit.ly/4bxf0AY
with Julia Flaherty, Founder of Chronically You

When I was in the fourth grade, I got my first full-time job. It came with no breaks, no pay, a retirement plan promised in five years that never arrived, medical responsibilities I wasn’t qualified for, and pressure to grow up fast.

03/13/2026

At the onset of type 1 diabetes, it’s easy to joke about “needing a new pancreas” or to feel frustrated with our dysfunctional immune system attacking things it shouldn’t.

But what if the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin are actually guilty of inviting the attack?

“For decades, we thought the immune system was first to blame, but now we know that the beta cells make themselves visible to the T-cells, basically inviting them to attack,” explained Matthias von Herrath, MD, Strategic Advisor at the Diabetes Research Institute.

But the attack takes time.

🔗 Learn more about what causes T1D at Type1Strong.org.

03/12/2026

Laura Pavlakovich founded You’re Just My Type in 2016 and began leading mental-health-focused community events full-time in 2021.

“We host free peer-led events for kids, teens, and adults across multiple cities, creating spaces where people can connect, share, and just be themselves without judgment.”

Pavlakovich admitted one of the biggest hurdles has been funding and sustainability.

“For a long time, we’ve been focused on building community and running meaningful events, but this funding gives us the space to step back, think strategically, and really plan for the future.”

with You're Just My Type
🔗 https://bit.ly/4rCOeME

You’re Just My Type, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, advocates for mental health for individuals with type 1 diabetes through in-person events and community-building activities.

03/11/2026

Mark Barone is an international health policy expert and a leading advocate for the meaningful engagement of people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, mental health disorders, and neurological conditions.

He shared a more personal perspective with us—as someone living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and as a father—offering his insights on the question of “to screen or not to screen,” its benefits, and his vision for the future.

🔗 Get Mark Barone's story at Type1Strong.org.

03/10/2026

The name "You’re Just My Type" (YJMT) started as a play on words but quickly became something much deeper. “I was taking portraits of people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), and we just wanted a cute and meaningful name for the series,” Pavlakovich said. “What is so special to me now is that a name that was created for a photo project has ended up perfectly capturing our mission.”⠀

At its core, YJMT’s guiding principle is to uplift people living with type 1 diabetes, allowing them to feel seen, supported, and embraced by the very community they’ve joined. ⠀

“When you live with a chronic illness, it’s easy to feel like the world was not really built for you, or that you are always on the outside looking in,” she said.⠀

🔗 Read You're Just My Type's Story: https://bit.ly/3P9xX3l
with You're Just My Type ⠀

03/10/2026

Living with type 1 diabetes since childhood, Kyle J. Rose has turned personal experience into a career with global impact. Today, he serves as Global Vice President of the International Diabetes Federation, following decades of experience in the medical technology sector.

He has woven his lived experience together with those of thousands of others to guide organizations of all sizes in product development, expanding access to medicines and technology, and building meaningful partnerships.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4bAYeQU
with International Diabetes Federation

Living with type 1 diabetes since childhood, Kyle J. Rose has turned personal experience into a career with global impact. Today, he serves as Global Vice President of the International Diabetes Federation, following decades of experience in the medical technology sector. He has woven his lived expe...

03/09/2026

With the Oscars right around the corner this Sunday, we couldn't help but reflect on diabetes in film. Here are some movies with memorable diabetes twists and a couple we're excited to see in the future! 🌀

💬 What's the best depiction of type 1 diabetes that you've seen in a film or television show?

03/08/2026

When Gary was 40, he was about 60 pounds heavier than he is today. He went to his primary care doctor for a routine physical, and his blood sugar came back at 267 mg/dL.

The doctor’s diagnosis? Type 2 diabetes. The treatment plan? Just lose weight, and it will go away.

“That sounded reasonable to me at the time because I knew I needed to lose weight,” Gary said. “What I knew about diabetes at the time could fit on the head of a pin.”

🔗 https://bit.ly/46mKG8M

At 65, newly retired from a long career in finance and accounting, Gary Rind now leads a full life in Houston, Texas, traveling internationally, actively managing his diabetes, and meeting monthly with his local type 1 diabetes group. But his journey to this point wasn’t always easy.

03/08/2026

Did you know there are Olympians with type 1 diabetes?

Whether they’ve made it to the trials or podium, their grit, intensity and dedication show others with type 1 diabetes – there truly are no limits to what you can do.

🔗 https://bit.ly/3MPHvj8

With the Summer Olympics around the corner, T1D Strong is celebrating Olympic athletes with type 1 diabetes. Gary Hall Jr., Charlotte Drury, Kris Freeman and Kristina Tomić have proven their mettle by competing in the most prestigious international event in the world.

03/05/2026

At the age of 10, Lucy McGroarty was rushed by ambulance from her family cottage to the closest emergency room.

Through a simple blood test, a doctor told her she had type 1 diabetes (T1D). At the time, she had no idea of the impact those words would have on her life.

with Connected in Motion
🔗 https://bit.ly/4rxidWj

At the age of 10, Lucy McGroarty was rushed by ambulance from her family cottage to the closest emergency room. Through a simple blood test, a doctor told her she had type 1 diabetes (T1D). At the time, she had no idea of the impact those words would have on her life.

02/27/2026

We are proud to share that our CEO, Yuta Matsuda, will be presenting on saliva-based at-home GRS testing for scalable and accessible type 1 diabetes (T1D) screening next week with The Sugar Science.

🔗 Get the details and register here: https://bit.ly/3OAFKqO

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02/27/2026

In honor of Black History Month, T1D Strong highlights leaders who’ve made significant contributions in fundraising, research, social media, and healthcare for T1D.

By combating misdiagnosis (Black adults are incorrectly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when they actually have type 1) and driving awareness, they’re bridging the gap in trust and access, ensuring better health outcomes for all.

🔗 Celebrate these amazing advocates with us: https://bit.ly/3OtSSOq