Pleasanton Teen Takes the Walk to India

Kamya Arora thinks globally. And it makes sense. She was just three years old when her family moved from New Delhi to the Bay Area. She still feels a connection to India, embracing its culture and values, and relishing Bollywood movies and songs. Last summer she visited the land of her early childhood and took the Walk to Diabetes with her.

Kamya’s participation in the Walk began in 2010 when she was a freshman at Quarry Lane High School. She organized her own event in the Ruby Hill community of Pleasanton.  Almost 200 people joined in and the event raised $5,000. In 2011 she hosted the event again and raised $8,000. So just before her senior year when Kamya was accepted for a summer internship in New Delhi, she saw an opportunity to raise funds and awareness overseas.  She hosted a Walk to Cure Diabetes in New Delhi on India’s Independence Day on August 15. More than 300 people participated and the event raised Rs 36,000 (more than US $500.) Kamya demonstrated her public speaking skills and gave a presentation about Breakthrough T1D and T1D.

“Taking Breakthrough T1D’s cause global, especially to a country so close to my heart, was an adventure and ultimately, it was fulfilling for me,” Kamya says. “The past three Walks I’ve worked on have been really great ways to expose myself not only to the complexities involved in fundraising through such events, but also to meet and learn from many adults and children who live with T1D. These experiences have given me so much more than I could have imagined.”

Kamya’s passion for this cause stems from a family friend whose son has T1D. Watching him manage the disease inspired her to help make a difference. Her commitment is from the heart and Breakthrough T1D could not be more grateful. She has earned the title of Walk Superhero!