When we established The Abigail C. Bachmore Memorial Foundation in April 2021, it was in the midst of unimaginable grief—but also with a clear sense of purpose. Our mission is to raise awareness of organ donation and Type 1 diabetes (T1D), with a strong focus on early detection. We advocate for routine screening during annual physicals because we now know how critical early recognition can be. Through the foundation, we also strive to carry forward Abbie’s spirit—one rooted in love, kindness, and inclusivity.

Everything we do is shaped by Abbie’s story.

My daughter Abbie was just 12 years old when she passed away in the early morning hours of February 7, 2021, from complications of undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes. It’s a condition that, if recognized in time, can be managed. That’s what makes her loss even harder to bear—and why awareness matters so deeply to me.

In the months leading up to her passing, there were signs, but they were so easy to miss. Abbie had thinned out, but it seemed natural, like a growth spurt. She was sleeping more, which I attributed to puberty. There were no obvious alarm bells. Even excessive thirst—one of the hallmark symptoms of T1D—didn’t stand out. Like so many kids her age, she carried a Hydroflask everywhere, refilling it throughout the day. It looked like a healthy habit, not a warning sign.

Looking back, I can see how easily these symptoms can be mistaken for normal childhood changes or minor illnesses like the flu or a stomach bug. That’s why sharing Abbie’s story is so important—because other families might be seeing the same subtle signs without realizing what they could mean.

Amid the devastation, there was also a moment of profound light. Abbie was able to give four people a second chance at life through organ donation. I will never forget her Walk of Honor through the halls of Inova Fairfax Children’s Hospital. In that moment of deep sorrow, there was also immense pride. She donated her lungs, kidneys, spleen, and heart—an extraordinary final act of generosity that continues to impact lives every day.

Our family—my husband John, our boys Jack, Sam, and Ben, and our extended family—made the decision to channel our grief into something meaningful. The foundation is our way of ensuring that Abbie’s life continues to make a difference. It’s how we honor who she was and protect other children and families from experiencing the same kind of loss.

Abbie was here for 12 years, 3 months, and 3 days. That will never feel like enough time. But I hold onto the belief that her life had purpose, and that her impact didn’t end when she passed. Through the foundation, and through the love she gave and inspired, her legacy continues—reaching far beyond our family, and reminding others to look more closely, care more deeply, and act sooner.