15-year-old with Type 1 diabetes is ‘drafted’ by Vanguard University volleyball team

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Vanguard University women’s volleyball coach Jennifer Dorn presents Taylor Jarvis, 15, of Fountain Valley with a jersey during a “draft day” for her Thursday. Taylor, who has been living with Type 1 diabetes since she was a year old, is joining the team as an honorary member this school year.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

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Taylor Jarvis, 15, center, answers questions during a “draft day” celebration for her on Thursday at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

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Taylor Jarvis, 15, speaks during a “draft day” Thursday welcoming her to the Vanguard University women’s volleyball team as an honorary member. Taylor has Type 1 diabetes.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

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Students ask questions of the Vanguard University women’s volleyball team’s new honorary member, 15-year-old Taylor Jarvis of Fountain Valley, on Thursday at the Costa Mesa campus.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

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Taylor Jarvis, front row center, poses with the Vanguard University women’s volleyball team for her “draft day” on Thursday.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

By Daily Pilot Staff

Aug. 31, 2018 4:40 PM PT

Taylor Jarvis was greeted with cheers from Vanguard University students and alumni Thursday as the 15-year-old Fountain Valley girl declared her commitment to join the university’s women’s volleyball team.

Taylor, who has had Type 1 diabetes since she was a year old, will attend practices, games, team dinners and more as an honorary member during the 2018-19 school year. She began practicing with the team in April but took a break once school was out for the summer.

The Costa Mesa university hosted a special “draft day” for Taylor on Thursday in collaboration with Team Impact, a national nonprofit that connects college athletic teams with children facing serious or chronic illnesses.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar to enter cells to produce energy.

15-year-old with Type 1 diabetes is ‘drafted’ by Vanguard University volleyball team

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