Day 2: Sponsor Luncheon, Hill Blitz Training and Town Hall

High off of the excitement from the White House visit, the delegates were reunited with their parents for lunch to thank JDRF's Unite to Cure sponsors: Delta, Medtronic, Lifescan, and Eli Lilly. After the luncheon, the delgates were divided by state for Capitol Hill blitz training sessions in which JDRF staff emphasized vital talking points for the delegates for their meetings with their Congressmen tomorrow on Capitol Hill.

 The celebrity interaction continued this afternoon as delegates participated in a town hall event featuring opening remarks by JDRF International Chairman Mary Tyler Moore and panelist members Alisa Weilerstein, a professional cellist, Kalilah Allen-Harris, Miss Black USA 2007, Dr. Aaron Kowalski, JDRF Research Program Director, and Jared Allen, defensive end of the Minnesota Vikings. The event was emceed by ESPN sportscaster Brian Kenny.

Panelists shared their relationship to diabetes. The delegates were given the opportunity to ask the panelists questions. These ranged from serious questions regarding the obstacles performers Alisa and Kalilah face on stage to the more light-hearted like a question directed to Dr. Kowalski "With a CGM, will I be bionic?" and a question to Jared Allen "Do you tackle Jay Cutler even though he has diabetes?"

These delegates truly had the day of a lifetime as Children's Congress Chair Cynthia Ford recalled the delegates chance in just one day to meet "The President, a professional actor, a professional boxer, a professional musician, a beauty pageant winner, a diabetes scientist, a professional football player, and a rock star!"

Chandler

Tuesday, June 23 8:00