Nick Jonas Testifies for JDRF at Senate Hearing on the Need for Federal Funding for
Type 1 Diabetes Research

Nick Jonas, of the Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum group The Jonas Brothers, testified for JDRF on Wednesday, June 24, to request federal funding for diabetes research, and remind Congress about the urgent need for a cure for a disease he lives with every day.

The hearing was the culmination of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Children's Congress, the largest grassroots event held in support of research for type 1 diabetes.  More than 150 children and teenagers representing all 50 states took part in JDRF's Children's Congress, which included a visit with President Barack Obama at the White House, a Town Hall panel of athletes and celebrities impacted by diabetes, individual visits for each kid delegate with their senators and representatives, and the Senate hearing.

"While technology has made it much easier for me to manage my diabetes, technology is not a cure.  Insulin is not a cure.  Like everyone here today, I know that the promise of a cure lies only in research," Mr. Jonas, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13 said.  "I ask that each of you join me in supporting the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program next year so that the researchers can continue their work on a cure for our disease.  My life depends on it.  All our lives depend on it."

"Diabetes has changed my life," he said.  "But I know I've benefited from the government's investment in diabetes research.  With the help of Congress, I'll only have to wait a little bit longer for a cure."  

     

^{*All donations will be designated to a JDRF research grant established by the Jonas Brothers' Change for the Children Foundation and will help improve the lives and find a cure for children and adults living with type 1 diabetes.}