About JDRF Children’s Congress

Voices raised for T1D research

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

Every two years, more than 160 children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) between the ages of 4 – 17 gather in Washington, D.C., to meet face-to-face with some of the top decision-makers in the U.S. Government. The selected Delegates represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as JDRF’s five International Affiliates. As participants in JDRF Children’s Congress, Delegates have a unique and empowering opportunity to help Members of Congress understand what life with T1D is like, while forming lasting bonds with fellow youth who live with this autoimmune disease.

Children making history

The JDRF Children’s Congress T1D advocacy program was inspired by a boy from Massachusetts named Tommy Solo. One day, at age nine, he asked his mother, “Why can’t kids go to Washington and tell their Representatives about what it is like to have type 1 diabetes and let them know that we want scientists to find a cure?” His mom and other JDRF volunteers agreed and, in 1999, the first-ever JDRF Children’s Congress took place in Washington, D.C.

Since then, 11 successful Children’s Congresses have been held, one every other year, and more than 1,000 kids with T1D have served as Delegates. JDRF Children’s Congress has been essential to securing continued government funding of T1D research and to raise awareness of the daily burden of Americans living with this serious autoimmune disease.

Delegates form lifelong friendships, meet T1D role models, develop leadership skills, and leave Children’s Congress empowered to use their voices for the change that will improve their lives and the lives of all people affected by T1D.