Teen Helps 15,000 Kids After Brother's Diabetes Diagnosis

Divaa Uthkarsha was only 12 when her younger brother Surya received a diagnosis that would change both their lives forever. Type 1 diabetes meant daily insulin injections, constant glucose monitoring, and a complete lifestyle overhaul for her 9-year-old brother.

Even with doctor parents and access to the best healthcare, the Bengaluru family struggled. Divaa quickly realized something troubling: if their family faced challenges with every advantage, what happened to kids without those resources?

The answer hit hard. India diagnoses nearly 16,000 new cases of Type 1 diabetes in children under 14 every year, and many families lack access to insulin, glucose strips, and basic education about managing the condition.

So Divaa took action. In 2021, she launched Project Surya through the 1M1B Future Leaders Program, naming it after her brother who inspired her mission.

The project attacks the problem from three angles: awareness, advocacy, and funding. Divaa organizes sessions where endocrinologists and dieticians teach families how to manage diabetes effectively, including mental health support that's often overlooked.

Project Surya raises money through crowdfunding to provide insulin syringes, glucose strips, and other essential supplies to children who can't afford them. The results speak for themselves: over 15,000 people reached, 100 families supported directly, and more than 500 insulin syringes donated.

One grateful parent shared how an awareness session transformed their approach. "We learned about hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, which we were not aware of before," they said, adding that dietary and exercise guidance helped them manage their son's condition better.

The Ripple Effect

Divaa's work caught international attention in 2023 when she received the Diana Award, given to young people aged 9 to 25 for humanitarian work. The honor recognizes youth who embody Princess Diana's belief that young people have the power to change the world.

Now the 10th grader is taking her mission global. She'll present Project Surya at the 1M1B youth summit at United Nations headquarters in New York, with plans to expand nationwide across India.

Manav Subodh, founder of 1M1B, watched Divaa's passion for healthcare emerge from the start. His mentorship helped transform a 12-year-old's concern for her brother into a movement helping thousands.

What started as one sister's response to her brother's diagnosis has become a lifeline for families across Karnataka and beyond, proving that age is no barrier to creating real change.