Every two years, more than 150 children living with type 1 diabetes (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.

This year, the Greater Missouri & Southern Illinois Chapter was honored to have two delegates represent our region at Children’s Congress, Ashley Whipple and Demi King.  For three days in July, they met with local representatives, visited the Supreme Court and attend sessions of the United States Congress. They helped 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.

Demi said, “The most impactful moment was seeing all the delegates in the same room, all T1D kids like me.”

JDRF Children’s Congress has been essential to securing continued government funding of T1D research. As Ashley said, “Imagine if everyone who had diabetes could receive a continuous glucose monitor—that would substantially cut down on the cost of medical expenses for a large portion of our nation.”