Jeanine is the Advocacy Team Chair for New Hampshire. She has several connections to type 1 diabetes (T1D), including her daughter, Abigail, who was diagnosed at age five, and a brother who passed away from diabetes complications. When her daughter was diagnosed, Jeanine wanted to participate in the fight against T1D so she decided to apply her nursing background and became a diabetes educator. As a certified diabetes educator (CDE) she spends her days teaching patients how to manage their diabetes, and spends her free time advocating for JDRF.

When her daughter was diagnosed with T1D, Jeanine was frightened and angry, but JDRF gave her hope. “[JDRF] helped me turn anger into action,” she said. Her family became involved in the New Hampshire JDRF Hope Gala and Walk to Cure Diabetes, and in 2011 her daughter was chosen to be a 2011 Children’s Congress delegate.

Children’s Congress was Jeanine’s favorite advocacy event because it gave both her and her daughter the confidence to make a difference. Abigail discovered a passion for politics and activism at Children’s Congress, and Jeanine learned the power of JDRF Advocacy. “I always volunteered at the Walk and Galas,” Jeanine said. “But with Advocacy I could put a voice to T1D and talk about science, research, and insurance coverage so people could really understand everything this disease means to a family. The impact is tremendous.”

She advises anyone who wants to get involved with JDRF Advocacy to start sharing their story. “Share what T1D is and how your family is affected,” Jeanine said. “Advocacy does not only occur when talking to elected officials, it starts at the bus stop, or with your child’s teacher or your neighbor. Don’t be afraid to speak.”

Jeanine’s proudest moment with JDRF Advocacy was when the FDA released draft guidance for the artificial pancreas. This was something they had discussed during their meetings on the Hill for Children’s Congress! Her colleagues had warned her that it was unlikely the artificial pancreas project would move, but thanks in part to JDRF Advocates speaking up, draft guidance was issued in 2011. At a 2013 Hope Gala, Jeanine and her daughter watched a presentation on the artificial pancreas project and were so moved to see what they had helped accomplish. “We did not breathe,” Jeanine said. “At the end of the presentation I looked over at [Abigail] and tears were running down her cheeks. I said, ‘You helped make this happen,’ and she said, ‘No, Mom, we made this happen.’”

Another powerful moment was during a meeting with a Member of Congress. Abigail tested her blood sugar in front of the congressman, and he was shocked that someone with T1D would have to prick their finger several times a day. In that moment, they got across to him the difficulties of life with T1D.

Jeanine says the ability to meet other parents and offer them hope is most rewarding about JDRF Advocacy. Hearing others talk about their connection to T1D at events like Government Day is powerful, she explains. “[It] makes each person feel that they are a part of this special society that no one asked to be a part of,” she said. “But we are, and we all support one another.”

She sums up her JDRF Advocacy experience in six words as: Love, family, community, change, perseverance, self-growth.