On this episode we speak with Leah. Leah is a research assistant at Trialnet.org. but is also an MPH candidate in Epidemiology. Her drive comes from her family and friends. She's seen T1D up close and is passionate about early detection and making research feel human, accessible, and community powered. Her allyship speaks volumes!

At Trialnet they test family members of people living with T1D for risks of being diagnosed. They start testing as young as the age of 2 for T1D autoantibodies, all the way up to the

age of 40 if you have direct family members with T1D.

Trial Net contributed greatly to the treatment of Teplizomab, Tzield® (teplizumab) which is s a CD3-directed monoclonal antibody approved for delaying the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes in adults and children aged 8 years and older who have Stage 2 type 1 diabetes. It works by attaching to proteins on immune cells, helping to protect the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from being attacked. Tzield was approved in the US in November 2022 and is the first

disease-modifying therapy for autoimmune type 1 diabetes.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the official Tzield website or the FDA label

During our conversation we speak about the misdiagnosis of adults with diabetes and the challenges in care because of the proper education and tools not being given to them. At Trial Net, instead of continuously monitoring a finger pricks, that we know the child hates, and parents hate as well, if you live with T1Dyou can just have this simple lab drawn to determine their future risks. It's a win-win for everyone! It's a simple blood withdrawal; it's not a lot. It's no more than a typical blood withdrawal from a lab. If they can get this done, you will have immediate direct knowledge of what to look for moving forward. Is my child going to have it or if

they're not? Right.

Visit Trialnet.org to get screened. It's 100% Free.

On this episode we get to hear from Marlaina Goedel. 14 months ago, Marlaina was fully, functionally cured of living with Type 1 diabetes. The procedure was the first of it's kind in the world, performed by Dr. Pior Witkowski at UC Med. With this process they inserted donor islet cells into Marlaina's liver and used the new monoclonal antibody Tegoprubart as the main antirejection infusion.

After 25 years of living with Type 1 and having dealt with too many hospitals stays to recall and far too many times having to be rescued by her loved ones, including her daughter she no longer lives with T1D.

During this episode Marlaina shares answers to every question that you could think of answering. And as Marlaina mentioned, "We did it!" She took this step for us all, not because only her own experience with diabetes.

Marlaina was a pure gem to record with and her story is story of hope for everyone. To-date there have been 12 people in the clinical trial after Marlaina's successful transplant. So far, everyone is on schedule to be insulin dependent like Marlaina (6 in total during the second phase already are).

You can follow Marlaina on Instagram @ilovemiley94

Find her on Facebook at Marlaina Goedel

Donate to support Marlaina continue this new life

On this episode, we hear from Jisel. Jisel has been living with Type 1 Diabetes for 22 years, having been diagnosed near the end of her sophomore year of high school at 15 in 2003. Jisel is a wife, mom of two, and a self-proclaimed Serial Volunteer! Whether it's school events, work-related, or with her people, in the T1D community, you can find Jisel always lending a hand, foot, time, and dedication to the communities she serves.

In this episode, Jisel shares everything else, plus diabetes, including how challenging it was for a 15-year-old young girl learning to advocate for herself as a newly diagnosed Type 1, and as an adult throughout her pregnancies.

Jisel is not only someone you should get to know but she's someone that is making things happen in the diabetes space!

Follow Jisel @jisel.p_andt1d

In Pt 2, we dive more into Krislin's new life without T1D and CKD as of June 29, 2025.

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at just 9 years old, ⁠Krislin⁠’s life was forever changed. By age 22, she faced diabetic retinopathy. At 26, Chronic Kidney Disease entered the picture. And yet, on the 20th anniversary of her diagnosis, something extraordinary happened. By age 29, ⁠Krislin⁠ was gifted the chance at a new life.

Her story is one of resilience, heartbreak, and hope. So, grab your tissues and walk with Krislin. Love with Krislin. Live with Krislin. Cry with Krislin. Heal with Krislin.

Her mother always told her, “You have diabetes. Diabetes doesn’t have you.” And today, that truth has never been more real, because diabetes no longer has her.

In 5th grade, Krislin’s diagnosis took a heavy toll on her young body. The innocent question, “Why me?” evolved into painful self-blame. “What did I do to deserve this? What did I do that was bad?” Even at 9, classmates asked cruel questions like, “When are you gonna die?”—questions that haunted her for years and silenced her voice about her condition.

She carried guilt. She felt alone. Her childhood was marked by hospital stays and isolation. For years, she didn’t speak about her diabetes, not out of denial, but out of pain.

But three months ago, Krislin woke up freer than she had ever felt. And today, her heart is with the community she leaves behind—the warriors who continue the fight against diabetes every single day.

You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. I know I did. Because this isn’t just Krislin’s story. It's a love letter to every person living with diabetes. To every parent, every friend, every fighter. This is for you.

Follow Krislin's Journey on Instagram ⁠@krislinwins⁠

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at just 9 years old, Krislin’s life was forever changed. By age 22, she faced diabetic retinopathy. At 26, Chronic Kidney Disease entered the picture. And yet, on the 20th anniversary of her diagnosis, something extraordinary happened. By age 29, Krislin was gifted the chance at a new life.

Her story is one of resilience, heartbreak, and hope. So, grab your tissues and walk with Krislin. Love with Krislin. Live with Krislin. Cry with Krislin. Heal with Krislin.

Her mother always told her, “You have diabetes. Diabetes doesn’t have you.” And today, that truth has never been more real, because diabetes no longer has her.

In 5th grade, Krislin’s diagnosis took a heavy toll on her young body. The innocent question, “Why me?” evolved into painful self-blame. “What did I do to deserve this? What did I do that was bad?” Even at 9, classmates asked cruel questions like, “When are you gonna die?”—questions that haunted her for years and silenced her voice about her condition.

She carried guilt. She felt alone. Her childhood was marked by hospital stays and isolation. For years, she didn’t speak about her diabetes, not out of denial, but out of pain.

But three months ago, Krislin woke up freer than she had ever felt. And today, her heart is with the community she leaves behind—the warriors who continue the fight against diabetes every single day.

You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. I know I did. Because this isn’t just Krislin’s story. It’s a love letter to every person living with diabetes. To every parent, every friend, every fighter. This is for you.

On this episode, we travel to Aruba to meet with Nurianne. Nurianne was diagnosed with T1D at 19. She is a graduate of the University of Aruba. Nuri worked as a full-time lecturer at the University of Aruba and was a researcher for the local Foundation of diabetes in Aruba concerning diabetes management on the island. Nurianne is passionate about helping others, as she started volunteering at the age of 12 and has been active in many social projects and programs since then. Nurianne has a special interest in children and their development.

Since her diabetes diagnosis, she has dedicated herself to researching diabetes and health conditions. Nurianne aims at motivating and coaching people living with diabetes.

In 2018 Nurianne participated as the representative of Aruba in the Miss World pageant and her advocacy focused on health for children and youngsters. In 2019 Nurianne joined the YLD program by the International Diabetes Federation to gain more knowledge in the field of diabetes so she can develop the appropriate skills to support others and do research.

Nurianne has been a Ph.D. student in the field of Public Administration since September 2023. Her Ph.D. research is an extension of her passion for advocating for health and specifically invisible disabilities. Nurianne plans on conducting research on how communities of experience (support systems) can enhance health outcomes of people with hidden disabilities such as diabetes, ADHD, and endometriosis in Aruba.

On this episode we get to hear from Anchal . Anchal visits the Podcast from India. Anchal is 16 years young and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 7 years ago at the age of 9. Anchal, in most ways, is your typical teenager. She enjoys dancing, doing her makeup, and dressing up. These things are what bring her peace of mind when everything gets too much.

Anchal aspires to be someone who can encourage and motivate more people like her. She wants to make life a little easier for them in any way possible. Anchal also hopes to become a clinical psychologist! She remembers how traumatic her diagnosis was and continues to be for her and her family, specifically her parents, who are also her superheroes, and how much therapy can help newly diagnosed families.

During this conversation Anchal opens up about being a teen and how misinformed others are about her living with diabetes and how it does anger her at times.

Anchal is someone we should all get to know because she will take on and over the world!!

Sarah was diagnosed with type 1 at the age of 7, 17 years ago, and also lives with multi drug-resistant epilepsy. She was diagnosed during a visit to the pediatrician.

After diagnosis, Sarah spent her summers at camp Nejeda, later becoming a counselor, which helped foster a good relationship with my diabetes as well as instill confidence. While in college, pursuing her BS in nursing, she began modeling and wanted her diabetes to be a focal point. This is when she started advocating more for type 1. Eventually, Sarah got to take part in amazing opportunities, such as opening the NASDAQ on World Diabetes Day as part of a Dexcom campaign.

Currently, Sarah is a nurse on a neuro/stroke step-down unit and loves the conversations that her diabetes tech starts.

This year, Sarah will be working towards becoming a certified diabetes care and education specialist.Sarah shares how it's essential for young people to see someone openly share the good, the bad, and the ugly of diabetes.

Sarah knows that she would be nowhere if not gifted her amazing family. Her parents came together with their strengths to keep little Sarah well. Sarah celebrates that she's able to wake up daily and do the things she does.

The Diabetes community means a great deal to Sarah. The comfort others have with reaching out and sharing with her is amazing. The DOC has been there for her through the ups, downs, and through grief.

During this recording, flowers are gifted to the Guarino family for their forever support during her diagnosis and continuing. Sarah's mother recently transitioned. She was and continues to be the answer to all of Sarah's "Whys."

Get to know Sara @runawaywithsara