Margarita Aguilar RN, BSN, is the proud mom to Rohan, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of two in 2018. They have attended Friends for Life Orlando since 2019. Margarita is pursuing a Master’s Degree as Family Nurse Practitioner from The University of Texas at Arlington. She enjoys spending time with her son, teaching him about his diabetes management as he grows older to advocate for himself and others with T1D, all while maintaining a positive outlook.

Tanner Barton, MCHES, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age eight in 2003. An avid swimmer, Tanner swam competitively at the NCAA Division I level for four years. He was a 4-year Mid-American Conference (MAC) finalist in the 200 Butterfly, and he was recognized as the 2017 conference male student-athlete of the year. Following graduation, Tanner began coaching at the collegiate level. He is the Head Swimming & Diving Coach at John Carroll University, though he also enjoys coaching elementary aged children during the summer months. Besides swimming, Tanner enjoys various forms of physical activity; he traded in swim goggles for running shoes and completed the 2019 NYC Marathon. In addition to T1D, Tanner lives with celiac disease. He is looking forward to befriending and empowering all who are attending FFL!

Russell Brown is a pophomore at Bentley University. He is a Dean's List student, in the Investment Club, and trying to make the DII Golf Team. He also plays Basketball and Soccer in his free time. Diabetes has never really stopped Russell from doing anything that he wanted to--academically or athletically. He am looking forward to returning to Sports Central and helping children with diabetes, in any way possible.

Martyn Carr, BSc, RN, lives in Scotland and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was five years old. Martyn earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University West of Scotland. Martyn met his wife Chelsea at the Friends for Life Conference in Orlando and he is now Dad to son Owynn (born May 2021). He has participated in the Friends for Life conferences in the United States, Scotland, and England for many years, working within the Elementary, Tween, Teen age groups and Sport central team. Martyn loves attending FFL conferences where he gets to help others with diabetes and see his friends.

Abby Deltano is 19 years old and has lived with type 1 diabetes for almost eight years. She first attended Friends for Life in 2018 and found really great people from day one. Ever since she was 11 years old, managing type 1 diabetes has been hard but hasn’t held her back from playing volleyball, figure skating, skiing, and doing absolutely whatever she wanted. It’s taught her a lot about how to overcome difficult situations, and Abby credits her my mom for so much of that. Abby also has a passion for writing, drawing, and anything she's able to create with her hands. She works as a full time veterinary assistant and loves coming home at the end of the day knowing she has helped somebody’s pet. Abby can’t wait to meet and see everybody again at FFL!

Someone once asked Mike Singletary, former NFL Chicago Bears linebacker, what his favorite part of the game was. He answered, "The opportunity to play." Since his diagnosis in 1995, Jimmy Dodson has expanded his classic athletic background into various areas of endurance and adventures sports for both the physical and mental challenges, as well as to demonstrate that diabetes is merely a factor that can be managed. Whether it is ice climbing, racing mountain bikes, running the Goofy Challenge, or playing a pick-up game, there aren't many things he has not tried. Over the years, he has been actively involved with CWD, Adventures for the Cure, Mountains for Active Diabetics, IDEA 2000, Insulindependence, Hope on 2 Wheels, JDRF Ride to Cure, and has experiences as a guide, coach, and fitness instructor. Professionally, Jimmy is the statewide Ecological Restoration Specialist for NC State Parks with duties as a wildlife biologist, registered forester, fire ecologist, and wildland firefighter.

Jade Gorman was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on February 1, 2018, at age 13. She has just finished her first year of college at Montclair State University where she plays on the women's DIII lacrosse team. Growing up she competed in gymnastics almost all her life as well. Jade is willing to talk about any and all things sports since she is studying sports communication while at school in New Jersey and can't wait to spend the week with you!

Brady Grainda has had type 1 for 18 years, and was diagnosed when he was 13 months old. He has been attending Friends for Life for 14 years. Brady lives in Malvern, PA, and works as a life guard at his local country club and as an employee for take out at the local Italian restaurant. In his free time, Brady likes to play volley ball, play lacrosse, and go out with friends. Brady is so excited to be able to work on staff with the people that he looked up to for such a long time. He is also excited to spend time meeting new people and friends.

Ty Mulholland is a recent Economics and Finance graduate from Westcliff University. He has played baseball for 16 years and competed for Westcliff University while earning his degree. He attended his first Friends For Life conference in 2022 wearing an orange bracelet in support of his girlfriend who diagnosed in 2019. Originally he is from Ashland, Oregon and is currently living in Irvine, California.

Rhianna Rinderknecht was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2017 and attended her first Friends for life conference in 2020. She was born and raised in South Florida and is also a 2023 high school graduate. Rhianna has a passion for helping people with type 1 diabetes and will begin nursing school at the University of Alabama in the fall to pursue this passion. She is looking forward to volunteering this year and can’t wait to experience the conference in a whole new light.

Alexa Velcic, an orange bracelet, is a high-level ski racer. Two of her close friends in the ski community have type 1 diabetes and she is always looking for ways to support them. Alexa has learned a lot about type 1 through her travel with the ski community and her type 1 friends. She feels very strongly that it is important to be educated about type 1 and how to respond under challenging situations such as active sports. She’s excited about volunteering in Sports Central and meeting lots of new friends!