Blog - Past Delegates

As a Children's Congress delegate in 2007 I met kids and adults from forty-nine other states and six international countries and learned that we shared many experiences living with diabetes. The purpose of the 2007 Children's Congress was to meet with congressmen to share what life with diabetes is like and why research is very important in finding a cure. I learned that speaking to legislators is very important because they need to hear, understand, and grasp the daily struggles of those who have type 1 diabetes. When they hear our stories, they'll realize that "INSULIN IS NOT A CURE!" and they will support more research funds so we can continue to work towards a cure.

My work as advocate for a cure didn’t end with Children’s Congress 2007! When I got back to my home state of Hawaii, I met with the Hawai’i State Legislators to tell them about my life with diabetes. I also asked them that they should continue to help children in this state by spreading awareness and education for teachers and school nurses, so that children with type 1 diabetes may have a better quality of life at school. I helped raise awareness and educated others about type 1 diabetes through television and newspaper interviews. I also had the opportunity to testify at the Hawaii State Capitol to establish a safety net for kids with type 1 diabetes by educating volunteers in the Department of Educations to administer glucagon in the event of an emergency.

I encourage all 2009 Children's Congress delegates to continue to fight, advocate and raise funds to support research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications. Just like education doesn’t end in the classroom, your work doesn’t stop when get back home. It merely begins your campaign to advocate for a cure NOW!

Sincerely,

Natasha
CC07 Delegates
Hawaii

Watch an interview of Natasha and her dad, Leo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcPD7qRC9Hs&feature=channel_page

Congratulations again on your selection to Children's Congress. Children's Congress is a special experience and one that my daughter, Holland, and I are extremely proud to have been a part of. As a delegate from New York in 2005 and then as Chair Family in 2007, Holland and I have seen firsthand the impact of Children's Congress both on the delegates and on the nation. Children's Congress delegates are the most persuasive advocates in JDRF's fight for a cure for type 1 diabetes and our impact can be seen in some of the organization's important legislative successes.
 
In the past decade, Children's Congress delegates have worked with Congress to renew the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) five separate times to secure a total of $1.6 billion. This research funding has major impact on all of our lives and on technologies for diabetes management such as the Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM).

It is an exciting time to be in Washington, DC and Children's Congress is an incredible opportunity to put a face on type 1 diabetes and to share how your life has been impacted by the disease. You amazing 2009 delegates will demonstrate the importance of government funded research on diabetes and why a cure is so desperately needed.
 
In this the 10th year of Children's Congress, we need your efforts now more than ever.  Get to know your fellow delegates and get involved now rather than waiting for your trip to DC. The Children's Congress Delegate Forum and the Tell Your Story site are two of the many resources that will allow you to communicate with other delegates and share your story of living with diabetes. Holland and I will never forget our experience meeting delegates from around the country and sharing our story with Members of Congress. I am so proud to have been a part of such an amazing group.  We thank you for your hard work and for working with us in our fight for a cure.

Pam Edmonds
CC07 Chairmom

Holland Edmonds
CC07 Chairkid