As you have read in my previous post, the 2011-12 Promise to Remember Me Campaign
kicks off on August 1. Some of you who are new may be wondering exactly
what the Promise Campaign is. Fear not: I have put together a brief history of
the Promise Campaign below!

JDRF has a reputation as one of the most effective advocacy
organizations in the Washington,
D.C., and that is a direct result
of the relationships advocates like you have developed with their Members of
Congress. The first Promise Campaign began in 2000, and the program as been
integral to maintaining these relationships ever since.

The Promise Campaign is a coordinated effort to schedule and
complete as many meetings as possible between Members of Congress and their
constituents in their local districts. These meetings are extremely impactful
for both the Members and advocates, and we see that impact frequently in our
interactions with Member offices.

Over the past ten years, JDRF has achieved numerous goals,
including renewing the Special Diabetes Program five times and effectively
advocating for health insurance coverage of continuous glucose monitors. These
achievements would not be possible without the bonds created between advocates
and Members of Congress during the Promise Campaign!

Each Campaign has been more successful than the last. In
2008, we completed a record 374 meetings. We bested that number in 2010 by
completing an astounding 431. This year, we are asking advocates to improve on
the previous campaign’s total again by completing 432. That is just one
additional meeting compared to last year – I know that we can do it by working
together!

We need you to get to 432. Now that you know the background
of the Promise Campaign, help us reach our goal by signing up to attend a
meeting.

Stay tuned to the blog for additional exciting Promise
updates in the next few weeks!