Hi everyone! My name is Kerry Stuparich and I am a senior at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. I was born and raised in Freeport, New York, and came to Seton Hall on a pre-physician assistant (PA) track in 2020. In May, I will be concluding my time at Seton Hall by graduating with a degree in biology with a chemistry minor. I intend on furthering my education in PA school to hopefully explore the specialties of endocrinology or dermatology. I am a self-proclaimed gym addict, music aficionado, and an aspiring stand-up comedian. I also have type one diabetes. 

I was diagnosed with type one diabetes (T1D) on February 12th, 2014. I was 12 years old and had lived most of my life knowing how sweet it could be without having to constantly manage blood sugars and take insulin for meals. As I began to ease into my new lifestyle, there was a multitude of support that I encountered along the way. I was influenced by the endocrinologists and other providers around me who helped me to not only understand but embrace my T1D. These amazing medical providers also introduced me to the amazing organization that is JDRF.

I have always dreamed of serving the type one community in the way that it has served me since my diagnosis. In my sophomore year of college, I was given the opportunity to join to JDRF team as a volunteer lead for the Youth Ambassador program for the NJ/Rockland Country chapter. I joined this amazing group to help inspire and aid young type one diabetics in their advocacy journeys. This past year, I was also fortunate enough to join the Advocates in Action Council run by JDRF. It is an amazing opportunity for me as a type one diabetic entering into the next stage of my life to be able to advocate for affordable insulin and other issues that affect the T1D community with local Congress members. 

This year I am so humbled to be recognized as a graduating senior at the One Dream Gala. It not only gives me a platform to showcase what I have been able to accomplish in my four years here in New Jersey, but raise funds for the cure. Please consider donating to my Gala campaign for JDRF to continue funding research to cure T1D. Your generosity also helps JDRF to continue to foster the incredible programs that have led me to where I am now.

Your donation will help JDRF fund life-changing breakthroughs to remove the incredible daily burden of this disease—until it no longer exists. Thank you!