A braveONE mentor and mentee throwing peace signs in the pool

Mentorship. Community. Strength.

braveONE exists so no child with Type 1 Diabetes has to figure it out alone.

It started with Bella

“Hi, I’m Brandi, Bella’s mom. braveONE began with our family’s journey when Bella was diagnosed with T1D at just 2 years old. As she grew and started asking questions I couldn’t always answer, I searched for someone who truly understood her journey, someone who could show her that she’s not alone and that life with T1D can still be full of joy and confidence. That search is what led to braveONE.

Every day, kids like Bella face finger pokes, site changes, and unpredictable highs and lows. They are brave beyond measure, but even the bravest kids deserve someone who truly understands. That is why we created braveONE, to connect youth with mentors who also live with T1D. These mentors are not just guides; they are proof that diabetes does not limit your life.”

Brandi Pillow, founder

Brandi with her family, the founding family behind braveONE — The family behind braveONE.

The gap we set out to close

Kids with T1D had camps and short-term programs, but nothing that continued afterwards.

Youth with T1D are twice as likely to experience depression and three times as likely to experience anxiety compared with their peers.
About one in five youth with T1D meet the criteria for a mental health disorder.
Camps and gatherings create amazing memories, but they’re temporary. When they end, kids often find themselves feeling alone again.
Very few programs offer consistent, one-to-one, in-person mentorship with adults who live with T1D.

What braveONE does instead

Real connection, on a regular basis, with someone who has lived it.

We match kids with trained adult mentors who also live with T1D.
Mentors commit to regular, safe outings: ice cream trips, bowling, horseback riding, school visits.
It extends the “magic of camp” into everyday life, all year round.
Families gain peace of mind knowing their child has a relatable role model who truly gets it.

Where we are today

Where braveONE stands, September 2026

Mentor matches: 50 + Mentor matches
States reached: 19 States reached
Outings together: 134 + Outings together
Hours of connection: ~ 300 Hours of connection
Prospective mentors: ~ 400 Prospective mentors
Families waiting for a match: 150 + Families waiting for a match

Bella, the child whose journey inspired braveONE

Our vision: a future where no child faces T1D alone

We imagine a future where every child with T1D has access to a mentor who understands their journey firsthand.

We started with a pilot program in the Houston, Texas area, where families can meet mentors, experience the power of consistent connection, and help shape what comes next. From there we grow chapter by chapter, building a nationwide network of support. The goal is simple: no child feels alone, and every family knows they are part of a community that cares.

#IfIHadBraveONE

Voices from the T1D community sharing how life might have been different if they’d had braveONE growing up.

Each story is honest and emotional, and each one says the same thing in a different way: being understood by someone who has lived it changes how a kid sees their own diagnosis.

Be part of the movement

Mentor a child, find a mentor for yours, or help fund the matches that are waiting.

Get involved Meet our matches