Kids Tell Their Stories
and Hope for a Diabetes Cure

Back row, left to right, Katerina Cruz, Kamaal Washington, Sami Rovins. Front row, left to right, Luke Varadi, Sebastian Vassas-Cayón, Sophia Marcus.

Source: JDRF Strategic Communications

Katerina Cruz

11 years old, New Jersey

Katerina has lived with diabetes for more than seven years. Her diagnosis was a shock to her family, who knew nothing about the disease, and it changed all of their lives dramatically. Since she switched to the pump three years ago, Katerina finds that her life has become a little easier.

Her favorite pastimes are swimming, collecting rocks and using her digital camera. Her experience in living with diabetes has developed into a deep sense of caring for others and her goal is to become a teacher. Katerina says being a delegate to JDRF's recent Children's Congress is her proudest achievement. "I did my best to represent others just like me and tell Congress we need scientists to work even harder until a cure is found," she said.

Luke Varadi

10 years old, South Carolina

Luke is a great student who likes to surf in the ocean, play soccer and basketball and fish with his dad. He has done local TV commercials and JDRF public service announcements and he wants to tell everyone how important it is to take care of yourself. "Having tight control is what everyone should work for," he said.

For the last six years, Luke has written letters to family and friends to raise money to find a cure and he has achieved considerable success in raising necessary funds for research. He was 3 years old when he was diagnosed and 4 when he was put on the pump. Still, his numbers go high. "Mom sets the alarm every two hours during the night to check me," he said, and even though the kids at school are used to watching him test himself, "I don't like to be different, and I wish I didn't have to do this."

Kamaal Washington

12 years old, Kansas

"Omega Boy" and "Dr. Diabetes," enemies in a colorful and dynamic comic book, represent opposing forces in the battle against diabetes. The work is the product of the imaginative minds of Kamaal and his younger brother, Malcolm, age 10. Kamaal got the idea when he was in the hospital at the time of his diagnosis in October 2003. "I was mad at the world and there was nothing for me to read about diabetes that was just for kids," he said. He describes himself as an activist and is motivated to inform children with diabetes about living with the disease and inspire them "never to give up" until there is a cure.

Both Kamaal and his brother have attended diabetes conferences and done numerous media interviews about the comic book and their personal story. Kamaal's other big interest is playing video games and he aspires to create one himself in the near future.

8 years old, Florida

"Sebastian is a trooper," says his mom, Maggie. He has already spoken frequently at JDRF events before many different types of audiences. "I even went to my congressman and showed him how I prick my finger," he proudly reported. "He was scared it would hurt, but I told him not to worry." 

Sebastian's interests range from video games to dinosaurs. He's on the honor roll at school, knows three languages and loves to read, listen to music and play with his older brother. He said that when he grows up he wants to be a good dad and not have diabetes anymore. "I want to be able to eat all I want, whenever I want and not have to have any more shots," he said.

8 years old, District of Columbia

Sophia, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 3, will be starting the fourth grade this fall. She loves the challenge of physical activity, has earned a purple belt in Tae Kwon Do and jogs with her mom. She also loves to read and is proud to have a big brother named Noah. When she was 6, she decided she wanted to become a "diabetes doctor" to help other kids.

"I don't like diabetes because of the shots and because I can't have the same things and food as other people can," she said. She has great hopes for research and spoke up as a delegate to Children's Congress: "I told them if they didn't help, we may not have the cure."

16 years old, New Jersey

An honor student who enjoys music, photography, writing and playing the guitar, Sami hopes to pursue a career in law. As an advocate for the cure for diabetes, she has told her story before a number of groups, including an audience of more than 400 people at her JDRF chapter's annual gala.

"I tell people, including the members of Congress we met during Children's Congress, that even though we don't look sick on the outside, diabetes is hurting our insides," she said. "I already have diabetes complications. I can't wait until I can disconnect my life support insulin pump and not only look like a regular kid, but have the same 'regular' chance for a healthy future."