Hi, I'm Amanda. I'm a 17-year-old Girl Scout trying to improve the lives of people in my community through public health education about diabetes. 

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I've always been passionate about global health. I became specifically interested in diabetes when I learned of the global shortage in insulin affecting people around the world, including my community. This led me to conduct research about the prevalence of diabetes in my state. I was shocked to learn not only that nearly 10% of the population in the United States has diabetes, but also that 95% of these people have (preventable or treatable) Type 2 diabetes, and a large portion of affected populations doesn't even know that they have diabetes.

 

In the course of my research, I was also inspired to learn about the innovative genetic research being done in labs across the country to target Type 1 diabetes. I know people in my community who are struggling each day with both types. Through my research, I realized the urgent need to empower people with knowledge and resources to prevent the damaging effects of diabetes in their lives, and to share positive and hopeful information about the future of Type 1 diabetes treatment.