Evette was at work when she got the call that her daughter, Eva—who was only one year old at the time—was sick and urgently needed care. She vividly remembers rushing Eva to the hospital, where she and Eva’s father, Alejandro, learned that Eva had type 1 diabetes. “It was a very difficult moment,” says Evette. 

The family was referred to Joslin Diabetes Center, where Eva’s parents quickly found comfort in the care team’s compassion and expertise. “When we stepped into Joslin, we knew we were at the right place,” says Alejandro. “They knew exactly what to look for, and we were guided in the right direction.” Eva was matched with technology including a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) and an insulin pump so her parents could easily monitor her. Today, she is a happy and healthy four-year-old, who speaks with authority about diabetes, but also loves dancing, unicorns, and playing with her cat.

Eva is one of countless children who have benefitted from Joslin’s world-renowned Pediatric Clinic, and philanthropy is vital to ensuring that young people like her can continue to access the high-quality care they need and deserve. Joslin provides an extensive range of programming for kids and teens—from personalized treatment plans to behavioral services. Perhaps most importantly, the team at Joslin understands that a diabetes diagnosis is a life-changing event for both children and families, and they are there every step of the way, helping their patients lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Part of Joslin’s holistic approach involves empowering patients and families through education. Having a strong understanding of how to manage diabetes not only helps prevent complications but also provides peace of mind. In addition to age-appropriate educational programs for children and teens, Joslin equips caregivers with the tools they need to support their children following a diagnosis. 

When three-year-old Shaw was diagnosed with diabetes, his mom, Cassandra, shared that, at first, it was “terrifying”, and his father, Daniel, couldn’t fathom pricking his young child’s fingers dozens of times a day to monitor his blood sugar levels. Soon, however, the education they received from Joslin’s staff had them feeling more comfortable caring for their son. Like Eva, Shaw wears a CGM and an insulin pump, and his parents have the information they need to monitor his blood sugar and help him manage his diabetes, no matter what fun activities he has going on, including kindergarten class and sports. 

Joslin is committed to serving patients throughout their lives and also gives teens and young adults the skills they need to effectively manage their diabetes as they gain independence. Among the many beneficiaries of programming for this age group is twenty-two-year-old Alex. As Alex started to plan for life after high school, the team at Joslin provided her with the tools to manage her own care. “They taught me everything that I needed to know both for college life, as well as just being away from my parents,” says Alex, who is now an honors student in college with her own photography business. “It gave me the confidence to go out and be on my own.”

Alex is grateful for the role the Joslin community has played in her journey. “Joslin has done so much for me and my family and countless other people and their families,” she says. “There’s really no way to thank you enough for that.”

Support young people like Eva, Shaw, and Alex by making a gift to Joslin today.