Libby Lerch, age 16, of Newtown Square has been chosen by JDRF to join a delegation of children and celebrity advocates in Washington, D.C. this summer at JDRF 2019 Children’s Congress from July 8-10.

Libby is involved in many different activities that all have a common theme—giving back to others. She is co-leader of her school’s No More Kids with Cancer Club and serves on her school’s Service Council, which is a student-run organization that serves in her local community. This past summer, she spent time in Texas rebuilding homes that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

She plays field hockey, enjoys spending time with her friends and her family, and participates in her church’s youth group. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 2, Libby and her family are very active with JDRF, participating in JDRF One Walk each year with her team, Libby’s Locomotion, as well as the Eastern PA Chapter One Promise Gala, where she serves as a Youth Ambassador.

Libby looks forward to being a part of Children’s Congress to help push for T1D research progress.

“Awareness for T1D is still way too low,” Libby shares, “and many people still don’t know the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The more money researchers receive, the closer we can get to finding a cure!”

About JDRF Children’s Congress

Every two years, more than 160 children living T1D gather in Washington, D.C., to meet face-to-face with some of the top decision-makers in the U.S. government. The children, ages 4 to 17, represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The delegates in JDRF’s Children’s Congress enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help Members of Congress understand what life with T1D is like and why research to fund life-changing therapies until a cure can be found is so critical. They speak up on behalf of the millions of people living with T1D and the families and friends who love them.

Please visit cc.jdrf.org for more information, and stay tuned to @JDRFEasternPA on social media for updates on Children’s Congress 2019.