Garrett Brown and Kalli Pfeifer have been selected by Breakthrough T1D to join a delegation of youth advocates in Washington, D.C. this summer at Breakthrough T1D 2019 Children’s Congress from July 8-10. The Delegates will be lobbying their Members of Congress to remind them of the vital need to continue supporting T1D research that could reduce the burden of this disease and ultimately find a cure.

The children – ages 4 to 17, representing all 50 states – will participate in a number of activities on the Hill, including a Congressional Committee hearing to share personal testimonies that highlight the challenges of living with T1D and the need for continued funding for research projects such as the Special Diabetes Program (SDP).

About Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress

Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress was inspired by (then) eight-year-old Tommy Solo from Massachusetts, in 1999. He overheard adult Breakthrough T1D volunteers talking about going to Washington, D.C. to talk to Congress and thought it was important that children go, too, and make their voices heard. Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress inspires national lawmakers to remember the children who live with T1D when making decisions about medical research funding and voting on other important Federal Government issues relating to diabetes. The young Delegates’ personal stories, told in their own words, are often more powerful than almost any other type of education a legislator and staff can receive.

Tommy’s idea quickly became a well-developed event, first held in 1999. Since then, Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress has occurred every other year.

To learn more about Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress, please visit https://cc.jdrf.org/.