Today, the Congressional Diabetes Caucus announced Congresswoman Kim Schrier (D-WA) as their next Co-chair, filling the role held by Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) since 1999. Breakthrough T1D Chief Global Advocacy Officer Lynn Starr released the following statement on the announcement:
“It has been an honor to work with Congresswoman DeGette,” said Breakthrough T1D Chief Global Advocacy Officer Lynn Starr. “Her legacy for the T1D community is unparalleled. From the Special Diabetes Program to the 21st Century Cures Act, stem cell research, and the INSULIN Act, her vision and determination have saved lives, transformed care, and significantly advanced the pursuit of cures. She has truly been a steadfast champion for everyone affected by T1D, and even now in her final months in Congress, she is working tirelessly to accomplish as much as possible for the community she has served for so long. She is an inspiration, and we will deeply miss her and her powerful voice in Congress.”
Congresswoman Schrier is a worthy successor who has her own legacy as a leader for the T1D community on Capitol Hill,” continued Starr. “As a pediatrician and the only sitting member of Congress living with type 1 diabetes herself, she understands the stakes and the day-to-day realities of managing this disease. She knows firsthand the needs of the community. We are grateful to her for taking on this new role and responsibility and look forward to working alongside her and her fellow caucus members to accelerate cures and improve the lives of all those affected by T1D.”
During Congresswoman DeGette’s tenure, the Caucus has grown to 246 members and delivered multiple life-changing victories for the T1D community. Her leadership helped secure more than $2.5 billion in T1D research through the Special Diabetes Program, leading to life-changing advances in the treatment and management of T1D. Her work on stem cell research also opened avenues to cures, some of which are in early-stage trials today, and her 21st Century Cures Act accelerated the development and review of innovative T1D therapies.
Congresswoman Schrier has championed the issues of the T1D community since her election in 2018. She is the first and only pediatrician to serve in Congress, as well as the only current member of Congress living with T1D. Congresswoman Schrier is passionate about improving the quality and access to care for those affected by T1D while driving towards scalable cures for the entire community. Her choice to succeed Congresswoman DeGette as Co-Chair ensures that the caucus will remain an effective voice for the T1D community in Congress.