An Advocacy Perspective by Barbara Arman, JDRF Board Member and Advocacy Team Chair

JDRF advocates help build and sustain crucial support for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research funded by the Federal Government by raising awareness among members of Congress about T1D and its complications and costs.  Congressman Jim Himes, Representative from Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District has been a longtime supporter of JDRF. Recently, Congressman Himes dedicated his Sunday morning to attending the JDRF One Walk in Norwalk.  His words were inspirational and his support encouraging to the T1D community.  Congressman Himes’ support and approach-ability were also appreciated at a recent local coffee, where I had the opportunity to speak with him first hand about the Medicare CGM Access Act.  The opportunity expanded beyond the request for support of co-signing the Medicare CGM Access Act and into a friendly tutorial about T1D and health care. Grateful for the Congressman’s interest and ear on the topic, I took the opportunity to demonstrate how a CGM with Bluetooth capabilities works and helps improve the health and safety of diabetics.  JDRF and the T1D community are very appreciative of Congressman Himes’ ongoing support.

JDRF Advocacy efforts are always in full force, continuously advocating for support for T1D research and promoting awareness.   Advocates also work to encourage a strong T1D Community by providing support, promoting awareness, and staying engaged in JDRF’s pursuits and T1D research.  So for everyone who participated in the “T1D looks like me” campaign, posted a walk picture on Facebook, tweeted about a JDRF event or research update, held the hand of a parent of a newly diagnosed child, or sent an email to a member of Congress you have participated in random acts of Advocacy.

JDRF raises money through fundraising events like the One Walks, Catwalks, Galas and Rides and also by advocating for programs like the Special Diabetes Program (SDP).  Our advocacy helped secure more than $2 billion for T1D research since 1997 through the SDP renewal. These funds are strategically allocated to support some of the most innovative research initiatives with the most promising potentials for improved health care and a cure for T1D. JDRF Advocacy input helped advance development of artificial pancreas technologies through the FDA and beyond.  JDRF Advocacy efforts and accomplishments are endless.

JDRF’s current ask of Congress is for co-sponsorship of the Medicare CGM Access Act. CGMs are FDA-approved, physician-prescribed devices that detect and display blood-glucose levels continuously—and reveal trends in these levels that often go unnoticed. A JDRF-funded CGM trial has shown that the rate of severe high blood sugar events among adults using a CGM fell by two-thirds over the first year of use. Not surprisingly, CGMs are recommended by national diabetes clinical guidelines—and they’re covered by nearly all private health plans. JDRF has been working closely with other interested stakeholders to encourage Medicare to cover CGM devices.  As of November we have over 150 co-signers of the Medicare CGM Access Act and we continue to advocate for full support.

Advocacy efforts are essential in the pursuit to finding a cure for T1D so please consider becoming a JDRF Advocate and help us improve health care and find a cure for T1D.  Become an advocate now by texting “ACTION” to 53731 or by clicking here to sign up online.