For decades, JDRF has led the fight in the nation’s capital to advocate for research funding on behalf of the type 1 diabetes community. Each year, we bring hundreds of advocates to Washington, D.C., so they can speak to lawmakers about the importance of T1D research.  

Why is the Special Diabetes Program so important to our mission to cure, prevent and treat T1D?

Congress created the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) in 1997 to address the growing burden of diabetes on millions of American families. Since then, the SDP has been a top priority for JDRF and the T1D community. It is advancing research to cure, prevent and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications, and has already led to cutting-edge technologies and treatments that are improving the lives of people living with T1D. The SDP would not have been renewed without our support  in Congress, particularly Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH, who co-chair the Senate Diabetes Caucus, and Representatives Tom Reed (R-NY) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), who co-chair the Congressional Diabetes Caucus.

Here’s how you can support our work and get involved wherever you are:

• Send a message to thank your members of Congress for renewing the SDP
• Sign up to become a JDRF advocate here or by texting “ACT” to 53731
• Follow @JDRFAdvocacy channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram; follow along and join the conversation using #JDRFGovDay
• Share this blog post with friends and family by tweeting about it.

The SDP is the cornerstone of T1D research. While we’re in DC thanking our Members of Congress in person this week, you can join us, virtually, and also remind your lawmakers how critical the SDP continues to be in the battle against T1D. Take action now.