Lucy Brumbaugh, Caroline Dorn, Micah Kane, and Priya Storey have BIG plans this summer. They were selected to join 150 other JDRF Children’s Congress delegates in Washington, D.C. from July 24-26. Their mission: to remind their members of Congress of the vital need to support research that reduces the burden of living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), until a cure becomes available.

Children’s Congress, which is held every other summer, will include congressional visits and a congressional committee hearing, during which Lucy, Caroline, Micah, Priya, other delegates, and T1D celebrity advocates will testify on the need for continued funding for T1D research.

Congratulations to Lucy, Caroline, Micah, and Priya. Good luck in Washington, D.C.!

Lucy Brumbaugh
Age: 15, Age at T1D diagnosis: 9

Lucy is a swimmer who enjoys participating in Model UN and hanging out with her friends. She is also very committed to advocating for a cure for T1D. Lucy participates in JDRF One Walk, acts as an ambassador at JDRF Dream Galas and has met with her Congressman three years in a row to discuss living with T1D. She says, “Diabetes influences everything I do in my life.” Although she is excited about eventually going away to college, she worries about managing this disease without the support of having her mom and dad nearby. But that won’t stop her. “I want to go out-of-state to William and Mary. I want to work in the State Department or be a lawyer. I don’t want to be tethered down by diabetes.”

Caroline Dorn
Age: 16, Age at T1D diagnosis: 12

Caroline enjoys playing flute in marching band, attending Camp Adam Fisher for kids with diabetes and her family’s yearly summer beach trip. Her goal is to become a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatric endocrinology. She explains, “I want to be a positive role model and assure these kids that a type 1 diagnosis is not the end of the world.” In 2014, Caroline organized a Project Blue November campaign at her middle school to raise awareness and money for T1D research and JDRF. Caroline spoke at an FDA meeting in Washington, D.C. and participated in a Dexcom CGM clinical trial. “The best part of the FDA meeting was realizing that each person in the room was there because of a desire to make life with type 1 diabetes easier.”

Micah Kane
Age: 17, Age at T1D diagnosis: 18 months

Micah loves to play lacrosse—and he hopes to continue to play in college. When his young parents couldn’t handle managing his diabetes, Micah was placed in foster care. He says, “It changed every aspect of my life including my family, my values, where I live, and my entire future.” Every summer, Micah looked forward to going to Camp Sweeney—and the camp eventually led him to his “forever family” when the parents of his favorite counselor adopted him. Micah volunteers at Camp Kudzu for kids with diabetes, has taken part in JDRF One Walk, and speaks to his peers and teachers about the realities of T1D. “If we cannot increase the awareness of type 1 diabetes and its impact on kids’ lives, then we cannot fund the research to find a cure.”

Priya Storey
Age: 12, Age at T1D diagnosis: 11

Priya enjoys playing the flute, singing and drawing. Priya isn’t the only person in her family with T1D; her brother has T1D as well. JDRF is a family affair. Together they participate in the JDRF One Walk, Gala and the mentor program. Priya has participated in two clinical trials, and is looking forward to seeing the products involved in the trials come to market. “The new devices that come out to help people with T1D are important because the advances in technology mean that we are getting closer to the cure. When I think of the future, I want to see a world without T1D and everyone can achieve their dreams, like me.”