“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people… can transform the world.”

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about this quote from Howard Zinn. It is a way for me to keep hope in uncertain times, and remember the power of collective impact and community.

I am certainly grateful for the global type 1 diabetes community. I always feel a keen kinship with people living with diabetes like me, those who inherently understand the daily struggles of living with this disease and the imperative to fight for access to the medications and supplies that allow us to live. It is the main reason I was so excited when I first learned about T1International— an organization by people with diabetes, for people with diabetes, focused on harnessing our collective power to make the changes we need to survive. Over the past five years on my journey from local Chapter member to chair of the Board of Trustees, I’ve been as thankful for the community of advocates leading the way as I have been proud of what we’ve accomplished together. And boy, am I proud.

T1International’s annual report demonstrates the breadth of the impact that is possible when individual patient advocates are given the infrastructure and support they need to make big change. I was inspired by our Chapter in Gaza advocating for urgent medical aid; galvanized by our Partners in Sierra Leone that established a diabetes care unit in a local hospital; and awed by our Partners in Pakistan’s accomplishments around locally manufacturing insulin.

But overall, I was humbled by our commitment to our values. All of these efforts were patient-led. T1International’s independence allowed for actions like Washington’s protest against a major insulin company. The transparency of our organization is evidenced by its sharing of how funds are collected and spent. Our network is inclusive of people with diabetes from all walks of life, all over the world. The steps we’ve taken together have been bold, and they leave me feeling hopeful.

Last month, I was fortunate enough to join fellow advocates in Washington, DC to meet with United States legislators about the changes needed to make #insulin4all a reality in America. Telling our stories, providing solutions, and partnering with elected officials was a powerful reminder of what is possible when we work together. I left with a renewed hope for the work ahead and commitment to ensuring that people like me throughout the world can live without the fear of how we’ll access our insulin.

I hope you’ll join me in this commitment. In a time when the work of nonprofits like T1International is increasingly needed yet increasingly under attack, you are needed more than ever. So please: read the report, connect with a local chapter, donate what you can. After all, these small acts, when we come together as a global community, can transform the world.

Melissa Passarelli is the Chair of T1International’s Board of Trustees and a person living with type 1 diabetes.