Founder/Director

Hi everyone! My name is Alex Malkin, and I am the proud founder of T1D Kits for Kids. I am a senior in high school, and I am extremely passionate about diabetes research and helping type 1 diabetic patients in any way I can. While I am not personally a T1D kid, I have witnessed the struggle of managing the disease through one of my best friends, who was diagnosed at the age of 9. I found inspiration in watching her journey and decided to join the science research program at my school to focus on diabetic research. As I continued to learn more about T1D, I recognized how life-changing the disease can be for very young kids—especially those who come from underprivileged families and therefore can’t afford the variety of expensive supplies that are necessary to diabetics on a daily basis. I am also aware of the psychological toll that T1D can have on young patients. This is why I decided to start T1D Kits for Kids.

Team Member

My name is Sophia Salshutz and I am 17 years old. I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of nine, and I have learned how to best manage my blood sugar and advocate for my own needs, while continuing to lead my life to the fullest. Although my life was impacted by this auto-immune disease, I have continued to pursue my interests. My hobbies include volleyball and softball, and I am a captain on my school’s varsity team.