Type 1 Diabetes (insulin-dependent) is an auto-immune disease. It can occur at any age, but is usually diagnosed from infancy to the late thirties. It was previously known as juvenile diabetes. Only 10% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. With type 1 diabetes, a person’s pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Without insulin to transport the sugar (glucose or “energy”) into the cells, the sugar remains in your bloodstream, giving you high blood glucose readings. Although the causes are not entirely known, scientists believe the body’s own immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. People with T1D must inject insulin several times a day or continually infuse insulin through an insulin pump. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy lives.