Christian Stokes — 2009 National Youth Advocate

Meet Christian Stokes, the American Diabetes Association’s 2009 National Youth Advocate (NYA). Christian was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 15 months old. "I've had diabetes for as long as I can remember." said Christian. "I hope that we find a cure soon, so I can know what it feels like to live without diabetes."

As the NYA, Christian will spend a year traveling around the country encouraging young people and adults to get involved in the fight against diabetes. He will also meet with elected officials and encourage them to increase funding for diabetes research and prevention, ensure people with diabetes have access to quality and affordable health care, and make sure people with diabetes are not discriminated against in school or in the workplace.

Fast Facts

Age: 18
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Favorite Subject: Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Music
Favorite Sports: Wrestling and Football
Future career plans: Become an epidemiologist
Goals as NYA: “I want to raise awareness about the fact that diabetes is a serious disease. But I also want to tell kids with diabetes that even though having diabetes is hard, it doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your goals.”

Check out the National Youth Advocate Facebook Fan Page!

Read Christian’s Blog

Learn more about advocacy

Email Christian at nya@diabetes.org.

Resources for Parents and Kids:

ADA’s Safe at School Campaign
Planet D
For Parents
For Teens