Trudy Esrey’s youngest daughter Kerry was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on January 8, 2002 at the age of 11. “Like most families, it is a day we will never forget,” Trudy says. Kerry exhibited classic symptoms, but her parents hoped a trip to the doctor would rule out their worst fear. Instead it was confirmed. “And so began a changed, but still remarkable journey through life,” she says.

Trudy is known for her upbeat and positive spirit. She’s maintained that attitude from the beginning. “Since Kerry’s first weeks of diagnosis, we wanted to be part of the solution to find a cure and improve treatments; boots on the ground, if you will. We knew that JDRF was the organization funding research for a cure and we wanted to be part of it” she says. She and her family have lived up to that commitment and then some. Kerry has participated in myriad clinical trials at Stanford, including the artificial pancreas project. The family supports the JDRF Walk each year, fundraising as a team and also volunteering on the committee. Trudy has worked tirelessly over the years as Volunteer Coordinator for the Walk in Silicon Valley. She has also served on the Spring Fling (now Tee to Table) committee and on the JDRF College Night panel. In addition, Trudy, Kerry and her sister Kelly joined the National Charity League (NCL), a mother-daughter community volunteer organization, and worked to bring JDRF into its fold as an approved non-profit. They continue to recruit more NCL members to volunteer for the Walk each year.

Trudy’s positive attitude inspires others, and she has embraced the T1D community as family. She understands firsthand that T1D is a family disease that affects the individual, as well as parents, siblings, offspring, grandparents, relatives and friends.

“The T1D family is not one that any of us have asked to join. But what a family it is. The incredible people – from other families dealing with the disease, to health care workers, to researchers, to diabetes organizations like the JDRF, to advocates and volunteers – are priceless,” Trudy says.

As a registered dietitian, Trudy offers expertise in nutrition and has turned her focus on T1D. Currently she works at Stanford as TrialNet coordinator and registered dietitian at the South Bay pediatric diabetes clinic. “Working firsthand on research studies to hopefully one day prevent T1D in our family members that do not have the disease, and to prolong the insulin production in our children that do have it, is empowering. This research is partially funded by JDRF, so my fundraising efforts have come full circle,” she says.

In the end, Trudy is fighting for a cure, which to her would mean one word – freedom. “We all want to be free from the daily tedium of all that goes with T1D management, and the uncertainty about health issues surrounding the disease,” she says. Yet, Kerry has not let T1D stop her from doing anything, including running the occasional marathon. “I’m so glad to report that Kerry is happy, healthy, thriving, and continuing to advocate for advances in T1D treatment and ultimately a cure.” Trudy says. Until the entire T1D family can celebrate a cure, Trudy will remain hard at work, boots on the ground.