The first year of high school is challenging enough, without being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) halfway through! Kirilly White was forced to suddenly adapt to a “new schooling lifestyle and then a whole different way of living”. Here’s how she went from there, to becoming JDRF’s National Young Volunteer of the Year in 2015.
Kirilly has kindly shared her story to help us inspire nominations for the 2016 Volunteer of the Year Awards, which are open now.
“Instead of letting diabetes get the best of me I choose to tackle it head on. I had always been a very community-minded person and after reflecting on the challenges I was faced with when diagnosed and adapting to the changes, I decided to help people and their families when recently diagnosed, and by bringing the community together to help children understand there are others out there just like them.
At the age of 16, I started my own support group for the children in the Campbelltown area to help them with their diabetes journey, as in the Campbelltown area we do not have a great amount of support for those with T1D. I also began a high school orientation program for those with T1D transitioning from primary to high school in my local area.
When I received the phone call saying I had won ‘ National Young Volunteer of the Year’ for JDRF, it was a moment I’ll never forget. I had no idea I had even been nominated for the award as I did all my work alone, very quietly, not wanting a large fuss brought about.
This award has helped build my confidence to go out and keep going to help the community with T1D and continue my support for JDRF.”
Nominate a volunteer superstar like Kirilly
JDRF Australia was founded by the efforts of volunteers and parents of children with T1D hoping for a better future for them. Today, we are still driven by the passion and dedication of our many volunteers who help us towards our mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.
The JDRF Volunteer Award program is intended to formally recognise and thank volunteers for the time and effort that they dedicate to JDRF. The winners will receive recognition by the JDRF community at JDRF One Walk and a trophy highlighting their win.
We need nominations from you, recognising an adult or child who has volunteered for JDRF during the twelve month period between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016 and has not received payment or other rewards for their involvement. See more, or nominate here.