Young Adult Advocacy Council Featured Members

Matthew Hess discovered his passion for Advocacy after serving as a Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress Delegate in 2025. One of the most inspiring moments in his T1D journey was when he and his fellow Alabama Delegate were honored at the state house in Montgomery, Alabama after Children’s Congress.  

Matthew was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) ten years ago when he was in 2nd grade after his grandmother, a doctor, recognized the symptoms of T1D. At first, Matthew only knew a few people with T1D, including his cousin who was diagnosed after him. Then, Matthew found Breakthrough T1D several years ago and realized that there was a whole community there in his home state who understood what living with T1D was like. 

Following his experience at Children’s Congress, Matthew wanted to continue to connect with T1Ds across the country and he became a member of the Young Adult Advocacy Council (YAAC) in 2026.  

Matthew’s advice to other T1Ds is to invest in community – build a network and lean on your people for help when needed. Matthew is taking his own advice as he prepares for college, moving away from his family, and managing T1D independently.  

YAAC Featured Member Grace Sheppard

Breakthrough T1D has been a part of Grace Sheppard’s life since she was handed a Rufus bear after her T1D diagnosis at age 11. Since then, she has been a Youth Ambassador and active volunteer at galas, walks, and diabetes camps. Getting involved is important to her. “This organization has always allowed me to be a part of a community of others who are just like me, she said. “When you’re faced with a challenge such as T1D, the community is truly priceless.” 

Grace currently attends UNC Chapel Hill, majoring in psychology with a minor in neuroscience. She also works in the neuroscience unit at UNC Hospital. She hopes to work in pediatric healthcare, advocating for children who can’t always speak for themselves.

In addition to her passion for healthcare, Grace is also passionate about using her voice to raise awareness about a disease that is oftentimes invisible. “It is so important to keep advancing our technology and government support,” she said. “These advancements are the only way to one day turn type 1 into type none!”

As a Breakthrough T1D Youth Ambassador in Dallas, Texas, Elizabeth Roosevelt spoke at Diabetes 101 classes and distributed Bags of Hope. She was moved by the impact this outreach had on newly diagnosed families. “It motivated me to expand the initiative during my summer travels,” she said.

Her local Breakthrough T1D chapter connected her with the Robert Debré Hospital in Paris. There, she gave out bags filled with educational materials on T1D and, of course, Rufus the Bear. “Discussing the differences between the French and United States healthcare systems was an amazing experience and inspired me to continue exploring the various ways in which diabetes is managed throughout the world,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth’s mission to raise awareness about T1D globally didn’t stop there! In 2022, she collaborated with our U.K. affiliate to help promote their Youth Ambassador program, recording videos to encourage young adults in the U.K. to participate.

Elizabeth is currently Co-President of Harvard’s Diabetes Link chapter, which gives students living with T1D an inclusive and supportive space to connect with others who “just get it.”

YAAC Featured Member Elizabeth Roosevelt
YAAC Featured Member Claire Shelton

One memory from our 2017 Children’s Congress stands out to Claire Shelton. “An FBI agent talked about her struggles with type 1 diabetes in her career and how she was able to overcome those obstacles,” Claire remembers. “Her story still inspires me today to never let my disease stop me.”

Claire enjoys helping others and encouraging kids with T1D to not let the disease stop them from achieving their goals and dreams. She believes strongly in the power of using your voice to advocate for change. “You live it every day—share your story about what it’s like to have type 1 diabetes,” she said.

In 10 years, Claire sees herself on her way to becoming a doctor. “I know the journey will be hard, but I’m passionate about working in the medical field.”

Claire is thankful that Breakthrough T1D has given her the opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for issues important to her, including insulin affordability, and believes she is helping to make an impact. “It allows people like me to make a difference in lives around the world,” she said.

Sophia Galuppo is passionate about spearheading social change. From posting flyers about the injustices of diabetes supply accessibility in her community to speaking about life with T1D at televised school board meetings, Sophia believes education is power. She has also met with politicians at both the state and federal levels to advocate for insulin affordability.

Sophia overcame her “middle school insecurities” after diagnosis by using her love of crafts to raise awareness about life with T1D. She wove string bracelets of different shades of blue linked with a circle charm in the middle. To receive a bracelet, a person had to read pamphlet Sophia wrote on the ins and outs of T1D. “I found a voice for myself,” she said. “Blue Bracelets made me more confident with T1D and with building a community.”

The sense of community Sophia feels with our organization has also branched out to her family—they have participated in many Walks and Galas. Sophia is just getting started.  “I plan to continue advocacy efforts for as long as it takes for change to arise.”

YAAC Featured Member Sophia Gallupo
YAAC Featured Member Adriana Richard

Adriana believes in the power of community. She discovered Breakthrough T1D in 2017 and immediately felt “loved, seen, and heard.” Adriana was a Children’s Congress Delegate in 2019 and the experience was transformative. “It was the opportunity I needed to realize we all have stories to tell, and we should tell them.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, Adriana and two of her fellow Delegates, Sophie Rinzler, and Natalie Brogan, started a virtual community for kids with T1D called T1D To The Third to keep the younger T1D community connected. “We aim to create a safe place for kids and teens living with T1D to come together and have fun!”

Adriana is currently in her senior year of college for Elementary and Special Education and plans on being a school counselor after graduation. She is thrilled to be a member of the YAAC to continue to advocate for those who can’t.

One thing remains certain for Adriana: She’ll always stay connected to her type 1 diabetes support system.  “I continue to be the happiest and healthiest 20-year-old I can be because of my T1D community!”

Meet our Young Adult Advocacy Council Leaders

Our Young Adult Advocacy Council Leaders spearhead and organize the Council to fulfill Breakthrough T1D’s advocacy goals through community engagement.

Meet Our YAAC Leaders