A child from Orange is one of two chosen by JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research, to represent Connecticut as part of a delegation of their peers and celebrity advocates in Washington, D.C. this summer at JDRF 2019 Children’s Congress from July 8-10.
Emma DelVecchio, 15, of Orange and Logan Merwin, 12, of East Haddam will join more than 160 other children from around the U.S. to lobby their members of Congress to support type 1 diabetes research.
These children, ages 4 to 17 and representing all 50 states, will participate in a number of activities on Capitol Hill, including a Congressional committee hearing to share personal testimonies that highlight the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes and the need for continued funding for research projects.
Joining the U.S. Delegates will be five international delegates traveling from Australia, Canada, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
“Every day these children and their parents face the burden of type 1 diabetes and by sharing their stories they become powerful advocates in the fight to end this disease,” said Jon Muskrat, executive director of JDRF Greater CT/Western MA. “The delegates are a representation of millions of other families who need the support of the government. Children’s Congress gives the type 1 diabetes youth community a unified voice in front of Congress and a way to urge our government leaders to continue supporting research.”
“Going to JDRF Children’s Congress means that I can use my voice to support research for all my friends with type 1 diabetes. I’m going to talk to Congress about the Special Diabetes Project and why it should be renewed,” said Merwin.
To learn more about JDRF Children’s Congress, visit cc.jdrf.org/.