The 2023 Children’s Congress California Delegates gather before a day on Capitol Hill.
The Breakthrough T1D 2023 Children’s Congress took place Sunday, July 9-Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Washington, DC. We are especially proud of our eight Northern California Delegates who made a big impact on Capitol Hill: Marisa Bricca, (El Dorado Hills), Lucca Ford-Pisano, (San Francisco), Kathryn Moesta (Woodside), Zosia Mosur (San Francisco), Frankie Porrino (Sacramento), Damian Reynoso (Modesto), Nina Schwab (Piedmont), and Tennyson Tsai (Burlingame).
These extraordinary young people, all living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), met face to face with our nation’s legislators to advocate for support of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) which provides $150M annually for T1D research. Right now, there is legislation to renew the SDP for two years and increase it to $170 million annually. This would be the first annual increase in funding in 20 years. The Delegates also asked for support of the INSULIN Act which would make insulin more affordable for all Americans. The kids courageously shared their personal stories and asked Members of Congress to champion policies and funding that would benefit the T1D community.
The Delegates have been making headlines throughout the year, both leading up to the big event and afterwards:
- Marisa Bricca and Frankie Porrino: “ABC10’s Health Beat with Brea Love,” July 31, 2023
- Marisa Bricca: “Teen Advocates for Type 1 Diabetes Research,” Mountain Democrat, July 7, 2023
- Damian Reynoso: “10-year-old Modesto boy carries message to D.C. and Congress about diabetes, insulin costs,” The Modesto Bee, July 20, 2023
- Zosia Mosur and Lucca Ford-Pisano: “Press Release: Two Local Kids to Represent CA at Breakthrough T1D 2023 Children’s Congress in D.C. To Advocate for People With Type 1 Diabetes,” Richmond Review / Sunset Beacon, May 26, 2023
- Nina Schwab: “Schwab Dives Into New Sport,” Piedmont Exedra, June 9, 2023 and
Radio Interview, The Bay Area Focus from I Heart Radio San Francisco
We heard back from some of our Delegates and they let us know their favorite memories and shared their favorite photos:
Zosia says, “My favorite memory was the senate hearing. It felt like such a special thing to witness, and to be in the same room as so many influential people was a truly incredible experience. And getting to watch them do their work! With that, I also really enjoyed going to the FDA with 2 other families. I felt that I had a chance to share my story completely uninterrupted. I feel so lucky to be a part of all of this change. Thank you Breakthrough T1D!”
Zosia and Lucca on the Hill.
The Senate Hearing.
Frankie got to meet and spend time with Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress Celebrity Role Model, American Ninja Warrior Women’s Champion, Katie Bone.
Frankie with Breakthrough T1D Celebrity Role Model, Katie Bone.
Damian says, “My favorite memory is walking up the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to see the Lincoln Memorial. (I was really excited to see the Lincoln Memorial but my sugar started dropping on our walk there, so my mom bought me an ice cream I really enjoyed the ice cream my sugar stabled out and I got to see the Lincoln Memorial it was a lot of stairs!) Also, being able to fly across the country to share the importance of affordable insulin and why funding is so important meant so much to me because I was there to speak for all those that couldn’t be there to speak for themselves.”
Damian in front of the Capitol.
Nina says, “It was exciting to be able to be a part of the upcoming change and it was nice to meet all of the other kids with type 1 diabetes.”
Nina and fellow delegates sharing their T1D tech with each other in Senator Alex Padilla’s office.
Tennyson says, “My favorite memory was playing Pokemon Go! with Lucca (California) and Peyton (Texas) during one of the session breaks and ending up on the ninth floor of the Marriott Marquis Hotel.”
Tennyson on Capitol Hill.
Read more about the 2023 Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress here. Sign up to be a Breakthrough T1D Advocate today at jdrf.org/join.
