• Name: Madison
• Age: 11
• Activity: Fundraising, volunteering, and creating awareness about diabetes
• Grand Prize Award: $5,000 to the American Diabetes Association and $5,000 to her school in Delaware, plus Nicki Fleming’s Whole World Collection
• Nominated by: Her mother, Wendy

Since the age of 5, Madi has lived with type I diabetes. Although she has faced many challenges, Madi has turned having diabetes into a positive life experience. She believes wholeheartedly that life is what you make it, and she is determined to make the most of hers!

Madi has turned having diabetes into a positive life experience. She believes life is what you make it, and she is determined to make the most of hers!

Madi volunteers well over 150 hours each year to improve the lives of people with diabetes. She’s helped plan and implement a School Walk for Diabetes and worked on the committee to plan the local America’s Walk for Diabetes. Madi has served as the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) youth ambassador for the past five years. She gives speeches at community events, and this year gave a speech and performed at the Diabetes Ball to raise money for programs for children with diabetes. Madi is currently planning her annual “Skate 4 a Cure." She handles advertisements for the event, secures prizes, and plans entertainment to make the event a success.

She writes letters to community members to spread important information about diabetes and to raise funds to help find a cure. Madi writes editorials to local newspapers to increase awareness. She is an advocate with local and state politicians and this year was chosen to represent Delaware at the National Call to Congress event in Washington, D.C.

One of the most endearing things that Madi does is her outreach to others. Madi makes bags that she delivers to people newly diagnosed with diabetes. She writes a personal letter that tells her “story." Madi buys ADA wristbands and stuffed animals and makes craft items to put in the bags. She includes information about diabetes, support events, and contact information. She has made so many new friends through these efforts, and each friendship means so much to her.

Madi is a real girl, making a real difference!