It’s a wrap for Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress, but the impact of these Delegates will be felt for some time to come.
For three inspiring and earth-moving days, 170 Delegates with type 1 diabetes (T1D) from all corners of the United States—and around the world!—made new friends, advocated for themselves and their community, and made an indelible mark on our Members of Congress and their staff.
Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress at a glance
Every two years, approximately 170 youth living with T1D between the ages of 4 – 17 travel to Washington, D.C., for Breakthrough T1D’s signature Advocacy event. During Children’s Congress, these Delegates—who come from every state in the U.S., along with our International Affiliates (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, and the United Kingdom)—meet with our nation’s lawmakers. In these meetings (and during a U.S. Senate hearing!), they help Members of Congress understand what it’s like to live with T1D and encourage them to do all they can to support the T1D community and to fund research that’s driving us toward cures.
“Real world stories from our Delegates can make all the difference in bringing about progress for our community.”
Lynn Starr, Breakthrough T1D Chief Global Advocacy Officer
The event was led by Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress Chair Stacie Oshima, a steadfast supporter of our mission since her son Evan’s diagnosis in 2014.
Our message: Ensure T1D research progresses
The Delegates focused on a few areas of Breakthrough T1D’s Advocacy agenda: Renewing the Special Diabetes Program (SDP), securing strong funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and supporting policies that accelerate cell therapy research.
Each year, the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) delivers $160 million to fuel T1D research through the NIH, the nation’s top medical research institution. This critical funding not only drives innovation but also strengthens the partnership between the NIH and Breakthrough T1D, helping both organizations drive us closer to cures for this disease and improve lives along the way. The SDP is set to expire this September—renewing it is Breakthrough T1D’s highest priority, and these Children’s Congress Delegates stepped up to lead the charge!
“The SDP is essential to T1D research and has helped bring many of the technologies we rely on today to life.”
Stacie Oshima, Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress Chair
Celebrity T1D Role Models inspire Delegates, compel Congress
Five incredible T1D Role Models joined our Delegates to tell their stories of success with T1D in an interactive Town Hall. They shared the obstacles they’ve had to overcome, and tips on how to thrive with T1D. The Role Models included:
- Singer/Songwriter, and Top 10 American Idol Finalist – Ava August
- 2019 Children’s Congress Delegate, Athlete, and American Ninja Warrior Women’s Champion – Katie Bone
- Broadcast Journalist – Madison Carter
- Professional Soccer Player – Marlee Fray
- International Supermodel – Bambi Northwood-Blyth
- Delegate from the first-ever Children’s Congress and Creative Director and Founder of Thom Solo – Thom Solo
In addition to participating in the Town Hall, the T1D Role Models joined the Delegates at the U.S. Senate Hearing and on Capitol Hill to repeat the message: T1D research funding must continue.
Introducing Barbie!
Delegates were lucky to be some of the first members of the T1D community to see our groundbreaking collaboration with Mattel: the first Barbie® doll with T1D.
This global collaboration reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that the millions of people living with T1D are seen, heard, and empowered.
Delegates all received their very own Barbie doll—complete with an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Her polka dot top and matching skirt are a nod to the global symbols that represent diabetes awareness—a circle shape and the color blue. The doll was developed in partnership with T1D community members including former Children’s Congress Delegate, Nadia Stanback.
“Barbie will help everyone living with T1D feel seen, supported, and empowered,” reiterated both Pam Morrisroe, Breakthrough T1D Chief Marketing Officer, and Kathleen Seitz, Breakthrough T1D Chief Global Development Officer, during the unveiling of T1D Barbie.
The Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes is available for purchase on the Mattel Shop and on shelves at all major retailers starting on 7/20.
Delegates head to the Hill
On July 9th, the Delegates officially headed to Capitol Hill. They were ready with their talking points, their stories, and their passion.
The first event was a U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing led by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patt Murray (D-WA), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, as well as Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee (Sens. Collins and Shaheen are also co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus). The hearing was titled “A Future Without Type 1 Diabetes: Accelerating Breakthroughs and Creating Hope.”
Four witnesses spoke about the importance of these issues and what it’s like to live with T1D—including T1D Role Model Katie Bone, Delegates Rachel White and Ruby Whitmore, and Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P.
The hearing focused on the challenges facing the T1D community, the tangible steps Senators can take to ensure vital T1D research continues to drive us toward cures, and what is possible if the NIH, Breakthrough T1D, and the rest of our partners continue to fruitfully collaborate.
All 14 Senators in attendance demonstrated their bipartisan commitment to our Delegates and the T1D community. During the hearing, Senator Collins announced that she and Senator Shaheen had just introduced the Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 to renew the SDP’s funding for 2 years.
Watch the hearing now:
After the hearing wrapped up, Delegates dispersed across Capitol Hill, meeting face-to-face with Senators, Representatives, and their staff. They conducted 237 meetings where they again reiterated the importance of the SDP, robust funding for the NIH and FDA, and the importance of supporting cell therapies.
Join us!
While the Delegates did an amazing job, we need your voice, too. Sign up to be an advocate! It’s the easiest way to stay up-to-date and take action on Advocacy issues.
This event was made possible by:
- Champion Sponsors, Insulet and Sanofi
- Supporting Sponsors, Dexcom and Vertex
- Diamond One Society Partnership Sponsors, Ford and Marshalls
