JDRF Coastal Carolina is proud to announce that local advocate Turner Medlicott, a 16-year-old rising senior at Hoggard High School, will represent children and families affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D) during JDRF’s 2015 Children’s Congress July 13-15 in Washington, D.C. Medlicott was selected as one of only 160 representatives nationwide to lobby members of Congress for continued support of vital research aiming to reduce the burden of living with T1D until a cure is available.

Medlicott was selected by JDRF’s national chapter from a pool of more than 1,500 applicants with T1D. Children selected to attend range in age from 4-17 and represent all 50 states. Joining them will be 6 international delegates traveling from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, the Netherlands and the U.K., who will together advocate for TD1 and share personal experiences before a congressional hearing committee.

“Type 1 diabetes is a global problem that requires a global effort. As the father of a loved one with type 1 diabetes, I first-handedly understand the trials and tribulations that type 1 diabetes presents every day for children and families affected by the disease,” said Greg Darrow, president, JDRF Coastal Carolina. “The Children’s Congress gives all of us an opportunity to unite with one common voice to help urge Congress to maintain its commitment to supporting research for type 1 diabetes, and we are excited to have Turner represent our Coastal Carolina chapter.”

Medlicott has been an active volunteer for the JDRF Coastal Carolina chapter for several years. In addition to acting as a member of the Children’s Congress, he has attended JDRF Walks, served as a JDRF Gala ambassador and mentors children through JDRF outreach efforts.

“JDRF has been running a marathon in the fight to find a cure,” said Medlicott. “Speaking with U.S. legislators can only help us cross the finish line faster. I am excited and honored to speak on behalf of the 1.5 million children and adults in the U.S. living with the disease.”

For a video of highlights from JDRF 2013 Children’s Congress, please click here.

About JDRF Children’s Congress

The JDRF Children’s Congress program was inspired in 1999 by then-8-year-old Tommy Solo from Massachusetts. He overheard adult JDRF volunteers talking about going to Washington, D.C. to talk to Congress, and thought it would be great if children could go, too, because their voices also needed to be heard. JDRF Children’s Congress inspires lawmakers to remember the children who live with T1D when making decisions about medical research funding and voting on other important federal government issues relating to diabetes. The young delegates’ personal stories, told in their own words, are often more powerful than almost any other type of education a legislator might receive.
Tommy’s idea quickly became a well-developed event, first held in 1999. Since then, nine successful JDRF Children’s Congresses have been held, growing in scope each time, every other year (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015).

Today, JDRF Children’s Congress brings more than 150 children with T1D, who attend with one parent or guardian, to Washington, D.C. JDRF Children’s Congress participants represent all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and several countries around the world. They come together as advocates to meet on Capitol Hill with members of Congress and other key federal policymakers to help educate them about the critical need for federal funding for T1D research.
To learn more about JDRF Children’s Congress, please visit our website at http://cc.jdrf.org/.