Katie bone emotional Run Stage America

Pictured: Katie Bone competing on Season 14 of American Ninja Warrior

The terms “type 1 diabetes” and “ninja warrior” aren’t usually connected.

That is, unless you’re Katie Bone, a 16-year-old with type 1 diabetes (T1D) from New Mexico who appeared on the latest season of the hit show American Ninja Warrior.

Katie is a high-level athlete who has been a part of the JDRF family since her T1D diagnosis at age 11. “Almost immediately after I was diagnosed, my family and I volunteered at the JDRF Gala,” Katie recalled. “That encouraged me and made me want to get more involved.”

Since then, Katie and her family have volunteered regularly at Galas and One Walks, doing everything from starring in videos to loading trucks for events.

“Through it all, from the Bag of Hope to the events, JDRF was the message of hope and the greater connector within my community,” Katie said.

But it was her participation in Advocacy meetings that made her want to spread JDRF’s message of hope on a larger scale.