The Breakthrough T1D North Texas Young Leaders (YLC) is excited to announce its new Co-Chairs: CJ Garner and Fallon Donlan. This dynamic duo brings energy, passion, and a shared commitment to supporting the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. Their leadership builds on the incredible work of outgoing Co-Chairs Jordan Bender and Chelsea Holmes, whose efforts have significantly advanced the mission of YLC.

CJ Garner

Hi! My name is CJ Garner. I’ve been living with type one diabetes for 5 years, diagnosed in September 2019 at the age of 21. As Co-Chair of YLC, I’m excited to grow this diabetes community and connect with fellow young adults. My favorite T1D memory is meeting other diabetics and becoming friends with everyone in this community, including diabetic influencers like Rob Howe. I live in Dallas, Texas, and work as a Special Education Elementary School Teacher in Carrollton. I have a trained service dog named Camo who helps me manage my diabetes. Fun fact: my dad is also a type one diabetic and has been for over 40 years. He is in the DADA (Dallas Area Diabetic Adults) group! I’m so excited to be your new YLC Co-Chair alongside Fallon!

Fallon Donlan

Fallon Donlan here! I’ve been living with type 1 diabetes for 23 years (yes, my diabetes is old enough to drink). As Co-Chair of YLC, I’m passionate about bringing together young voices to advocate, support, and inspire each other in the T1D community. I believe that the more we share our experiences, the easier it becomes to break down barriers—and make a few friends along the way! By day, I’m a Sales Recruiter for a medical device company called Stryker, where I match talented professionals with roles that ultimately improve healthcare outcomes. It’s the perfect job for someone who’s been navigating the healthcare system for over two decades—talk about hands-on experience!

I live in Sachse where I enjoy pretending to have a social life, balancing work and health, and the occasional quest for the perfect espresso martini. My favorite T1D memory is joining YLC when I moved to DFW 7 years ago and finally feeling normal having a low in public. That’s the beauty of YLC. I am honored and excited to serve as YLC Co-Chair with CJ!

Join the YLC Movement

Under CJ and Fallon’s leadership, the Breakthrough T1D North Texas YLC is poised to continue creating impactful opportunities for young professionals with T1D. Whether it’s through networking, fundraising, or simply sharing stories, YLC reminds us all of the strength and resilience within the T1D community.

Stay tuned for upcoming YLC events and initiatives—and join in making a difference! Email Stephanie Sarles at SSarles@BreakthroughT1D.org for more information and to join YLC.