Local teen chosen as Pacific Northwest ambassador

A local teen who served as a Type 1 diabetes delegate in Washington, D.C., in July is continuing her advocacy trajectory as a regional ambassador.

Hayden 15-year-old Hydee Lyman was so inspired by her experience at the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children's Congress that she applied to be a Breakthrough T1D Pacific Northwest Youth Ambassador. She learned early last week that she had been chosen for the 2025-2026 ambassador program.

"I can make big changes in this world and tell my story to help educate people,” Hydee said. “Just helping people makes me feel great."

In this role, Hydee will share her diabetes journey with other kids living with the chronic autoimmune disease. She will represent Breakthrough T1D at community events, serve as a leader in the regional Type 1 diabetes community and grow skills as an advocate and public speaker. Breakthrough T1D is a nonprofit that works to find effective solutions regarding advanced treatments, influencing policy and improving access to care.

“I just feel lucky and grateful that I can be this person," she said.

Hydee was 10 when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes. She uses an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor to keep tabs on her blood sugar and be vigilant of her own health.

She was surrounded by kids just like her at the Children's Congress, where she also rubbed elbows with celebrities with Type 1 diabetes, including famous shoe designer Thom Solo. She met with staff members of Idaho's elected officials and got to meet Sen. Jim Risch in person.

“I also got offered an internship at Sen. Risch’s office when I’m old enough,” Hydee said. “There were only a few of us out of the whole 170 kids that got offered them, so it felt pretty awesome to be able to stand out that much.”

Hydee's mom, Heather Eller, said her heart overflows just talking about all Hydee has accomplished thus far.

"We are beyond proud of her and what she's doing," Eller said. "I always like to remind people that I support her, but this is all her."

She said it was really cool to see her daughter interact with other young people with Type 1 diabetes at the Children's Congress.

"She and the other Idaho delegates were amazing, just taking charge of it," Eller said. "Having her voice at 15 is amazing. She could have been spending her summer on vacation somewhere, and yes, it was fun, but she was working." 

Hydee is keeping in touch with many of her fellow delegates around the country. Several of them are linked through a phone app that allows them to keep eyes on each other's glucose monitoring data. They also ask each other questions and share experiential knowledge.

"There's definitely those connections, and I talk to almost all the friends I made," Hydee said.

Hydee will be at Breakthrough T1D events throughout the Inland Northwest in the near future, including the Breakthrough T1D Walk in Spokane on Oct. 5.

Info: breakthrought1d.org

    Hydee Lyman, 15, of Hayden, asks a question during the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children's Congress, which was held July 7-9 in Washington, D.C. Hydee recently learned she was chosen as a Breakthrough T1D Youth Ambassador for the Pacific Northwest region.

    Hydee Lyman of Hayden, right, and mom Heather Eller, background, had an exciting chance meeting with Bill Nye the Science Guy during the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children's Congress in Washington, D.C. in July. Also pictured: Children's Congress delegate Maggie Joyner.