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. 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.

JDRF 2017 Children’s Congress will take place on July 24-26, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

This July, Holden will be representing the JDRF South Jersey Chapter!

Holden’s aspirations are literally sky high. He would like to be an astronaut when he grows up, and says he won’t let his T1D hold him back. He has walked with his JDRF One Walk team, ‘Holden’s Hope,’ for the past six years and throughout the last three years has worked with a fundraising group called ‘Our Children Making Change’ to raise nearly $25,000 on behalf of JDRF. Holden is a Boy Scout and an avid competitive swimmer. He also enjoys geocaching with his father, who recently participated in the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes as part of a team that raised more than $3 million.

Learn more about Holden and the voice for T1D research, representing New Jersey at Children’s Congress!