Indian Princess Honored for Global T1D Fight in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 16, 2026 – In a ceremony that bridged continents and generations of advocacy, Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, honored Princess Padmaja Kumari Parmar of Udaipur, India, with the prestigious Mary Tyler Moore Award. The presentation took place on Capitol Hill during the organization's 'Breakthrough T1D on the Hill' event, recognizing the Princess's tireless work as a global advocate for people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

The award was presented amidst a gathering of grassroots advocates from across the United States who had converged on the capital to champion policies aimed at improving the lives of the 9.5 million people worldwide affected by the autoimmune condition. Princess Padmaja's recognition highlights a growing focus on global health equity in the fight against a disease that presents vastly different challenges depending on one's geography.

A Personal Journey Fuels a Global Mission

For Princess Padmaja, the fight against T1D is deeply personal. Diagnosed at age five in India, she grew up in an environment where treatment options were scarce and misinformation was rampant. This formative experience became the bedrock of her life's work. As a Breakthrough T1D Global Ambassador, she has transformed her personal struggle into a powerful platform for change, working to raise awareness, dismantle stigma, and advocate for better access to care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Her impact is most profound in her home country. Through her non-profit, "The Friends of Mewar," and strategic partnerships, she has been instrumental in expanding access to T1D care across India. Her leadership has helped establish government-supported programs and specialized clinics that provide life-sustaining insulin, monitoring supplies, and essential education to thousands of children and families. This work directly confronts a dire reality highlighted by data tools like the T1D Index, which indicate India has the world's highest "missing" prevalence of T1D, suggesting a vast number of undiagnosed or undertreated cases.

Last year, in partnership with Breakthrough T1D and UNICEF, Princess Padmaja hosted the inaugural "Udaipur Type 1 Diabetes Summit." The event brought together government officials, health experts, and international partners to forge a collaborative roadmap for strengthening T1D care, building on the success of pilot programs designed to improve the availability of insulin and glucose monitoring in public health settings.

Continuing a Legacy of Courageous Advocacy

The Mary Tyler Moore Award recognizes courageous women who drive meaningful change for the T1D community, honoring the legacy of the legendary actress who transformed public perception of the disease. Moore, diagnosed at age 33, served as the international chairman for Breakthrough T1D (then JDRF) from 1984 until her passing in 2017. She used her celebrity to lobby Congress, raise billions for research, and give a powerful voice to those living with the condition.

The award's prestige is underscored by its past recipients, including U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen, and Representative Diana DeGette—lawmakers instrumental in securing federal funding for diabetes research. The presence of Dr. S. Robert Levine, Moore's husband and founder of the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative, at Monday's ceremony served as a poignant link to this enduring legacy.

"For decades, Mary Tyler Moore used her voice to transform how the world understood type 1 diabetes," said Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., CEO of Breakthrough T1D. "Princess Padmaja carries that same spirit of advocacy forward today. Through her leadership and commitment, she is expanding awareness, advancing access to care, and improving the lives of people with type 1 diabetes in India and around the world."

Policy and Progress on Capitol Hill

The award ceremony was a centerpiece of 'Breakthrough T1D on the Hill,' an event that highlights the critical role of policy and grassroots advocacy. While researchers work on scientific cures, these advocates engage directly with lawmakers to shape the legislative landscape that supports patients today.

A primary focus for the advocates is securing long-term funding for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP). This federal program, which Mary Tyler Moore herself championed, has channeled nearly $3.6 billion into T1D research, contributing to major breakthroughs in disease management, glucose monitoring technology, and therapies that can delay the onset of T1D. Following a recent bipartisan extension that increased its funding to $200 million annually, advocates are now pushing for a multi-year renewal to ensure the continuity of promising research projects.

Another key legislative priority is the "Strengthening Collective Resources for Encouraging Education Needed (SCREEN) for Type 1 Diabetes Act." This bipartisan bill aims to fund a national CDC campaign to increase public knowledge of T1D symptoms, screening, and management, a critical step toward early detection and preventing life-threatening complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which remains a significant risk, especially for newly diagnosed individuals.

In her emotional acceptance speech, Princess Padmaja connected her work to the support that has guided her, dedicating the award to her late father. "It is a profound honor to receive the Breakthrough T1D Mary Tyler Moore award. I dedicate it to my late father, who passed away one year ago today. His faith in me and remarkable strength have guided me through every storm," she said.

"To be honored with an award named for Mary Tyler Moore is deeply meaningful. Her courage and advocacy reshaped how the world sees type 1 diabetes and inspired generations to speak up and lead," the Princess continued. "I accept this award on behalf of all people living with T1D, whose resilience and determination continue to inspire me every day. My sincere thanks to Breakthrough T1D for helping me live my truth with purpose."

Her recognition serves as a powerful reminder that the fight against type 1 diabetes is both a local and a global one, waged in the world's most advanced research labs and in remote clinics, in the halls of Congress and in the hearts of determined advocates.