Every two years, more than 160 children living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) gather in Washington, D.C. to meet face-to-face with the top decision-makers in U.S. government. The children represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and this year, they will be joined by children from Australia, Canada, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. These children enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell members of Congress what life with T1D is like and why research to fund life-changing therapies is critical. These children share their unique stories, on behalf of the millions of Americans living with T1D and the family and friends who love them.

Join us in welcoming the Delegates who will be representing the Mountain West Chapter at this year’s Children’s Congress!

The Delegates from Colorado:

Ella Vann | age: 5 | age at diagnosis: 1

Ella is very excited to start kindergarten this year. Swimming is one of her favorite activities, but she also loves coloring, dance, gymnastics, and running around with her dog, appropriately named Rufus! When she grows up, Ella would like to be a doctor and work with kids.

Ella is very outgoing and likes when people ask her questions about her insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor, which are usually decorated with stickers. One of Ella’s favorite activities is the JDRF One Walk; last year was her first in-person Walk, so she dyed her hair blue for it! T1D is a family affair for Ella (her mother was diagnosed at age 12) and she is thankful for her older brother, who helps her explain T1D to other kids at swimming or on the playground. “He is a true advocate for me.”

Sabrina Streich | age: 14 | age at diagnosis: 8

Being from Colorado, Sabrina enjoys staying active! She plays lacrosse and loves to ski in the winter and mountain bike in the summer. One month after her T1D diagnosis at age 8, Sabrina hiked the Grand Canyon North Rim to South Rim. “I will never forget all the Skittles I ate along the way just to keep my numbers in range.” In 2019, Sabrina helped design a sweatshirt for Athleta Girl that included a pocket big enough to hold T1D supplies; the sweatshirt even sold out! She’s very involved with JDRF One Walk; her team has raised over $100,000 since 2018! Sabrina also proudly rang the NASDAQ bell on World Diabetes Day!

Sabrina works hard in school and is interested in studying medicine in the future.  “I want to be well-educated, happy, and live a healthy life while helping others.”

Gavin Buchanan | age: 14 | age at diagnosis: 8

If you’re ever wondering where you can find Gavin, the first place you are likely to find him is somewhere people need help. Whether he’s working with his family in their role as One Walk organizers, serving as a JDRF Youth Ambassador, or advocating for fellow families who are also impacted by T1D to have access to the resources they need, you can usually find Gavin helping.

Gavin loves playing a variety of sports like soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, writing, spending time with his friends, and playing percussion and piano in his school’s concert band. Gavin has plans to bring his giving nature into his career someday as well. “I want to build housing all over the world for homeless and underserved people to live with available resources for them to gain employment and be able to meet their needs independently.”

The Delegates from Utah:

Laila England | age: 16 | age at diagnosis: 3

When Laila was in 5th grade, she did a project on Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space. It sparked her love for outer space and her mission to become the first person with T1D to go to space or, even better, the first person cured of T1D to go to space! When she went to Space Camp a few years later and was told people with T1D (currently) can’t be astronauts, it didn’t deter her… It ignited her. Laila immediately joined forces with JDRF to fight for change as a Youth Ambassador and advocate. She also mentors newly diagnosed children, fundraises through her One Walk team, and spreads awareness on social media and through writing letters.

When she’s not preparing for blast-off, Laila enjoys all things art related; likes to play the violin, perform in plays and musicals, and write original stories. “T1D has never stopped me from following my dreams.”

Liviana Ramirez | age: 10 | age at diagnosis: 8

Liviana describes herself as a strong feminist who will always fight for what she believes in, and she’s looking forward to bringing that energy to Capitol Hill as a Children’s Congress Delegate! Her love of performing, whether it’s in plays or musicals or singing her heart out on stage has made her a natural on the microphone! When she’s not in school or on stage, Liviana enjoys comics, reading, writing (she is especially proud of winning awards for her writing), spending time with her cats, and drawing.

Liviana has lived with T1D for two years, and has been hard of hearing since birth. She helps mentor other children who are impacted by hearing loss and their families, and helps to spread T1D awareness through advocacy work and talking about T1D with her community. She has raised funds to help drive T1D research through her One Walk team, Liviana’s Lions. “Donating for research to find a cure, fighting to reduce the price of insulin, even just caring, can make a difference.”

Thomas John | age: 17 | age at diagnosis: 7

Thomas describes himself as a social person, and enjoys spending time with his friends and playing basketball with his brothers when he isn’t busy with work and school. Last fall, Thomas ran the St. George Marathon, and recently got a car, which he loves to keep neat and clean. Thomas and his family have supported JDRF through hosting golf tournaments (they’ve raised nearly $100,000 toward their One Walk team, Team Thomas!) to raise funds for T1D research, and Thomas has spoken to several groups to raise T1D awareness.

Thomas loves doing humanitarian work, and most recently went on a trip to Costa Rica to work at an orphanage for two weeks. He plans on using his love of serving others after he finishes high school by serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Thomas hasn’t let T1D keep him from doing the things he wants to do and says, “I have always tried to live my life with courage and optimism!”

The Delegate from Wyoming:

Gannon Prince | age: 17 | age at diagnosis: 10

Gannon has a lot to be proud of! He plays golf for his school and baseball for his city (he was selected for the all-city team as a freshman and lettered as a sophomore), serves as a JDRF Youth Ambassador, helped run a local T1D support group, and never hesitates to talk with people about what life with T1D is like. “I try my best to always carry my T1D with pride and try to have the most positive outlook possible.”

In his free time, Gannon loves working out, spending time outdoors with his friends and family, and playing guitar. Although Gannon doesn’t know exactly what the future will hold, he plans to attend the University of Wyoming and study business. He has hope that his future will also include a life without T1D and says, “every step in research is a step in the right direction and gives me hope.”

JDRF 2023 Children’s Congress will take place in Washington, D.C. from July 9 through July 11.

To learn more about all of the Children’s Congress Delegates, visit cc.jdrf.org.