My name is Camille Nash and I am the National Volunteer Chair for JDRF Advocacy. I’m also the parent of a daughter with type 1. As we start off the new fiscal year at JDRF this month, I want to welcome those of you that are new to our advocacy efforts and also reconnect with those that have been helping us all along.

I recently sent an email about why renewing the Special Diabetes Program that provides $150 million through the federal government for type 1 research is imperative and asked JDRF advocates, “Who motivates you?” In response, I received over 300 emails.

In poignant, inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking emails, advocates wrote of their lives: the day of diagnosis; the pain of watching a small child who couldn’t understand why they needed the poke of needles; the teens who just want to be like all their friends; the adults who are so tired of living with the years and decades of having to work hard to stay healthy—some who in spite of this, developed terrible complications. Parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, friends, neighbors, aunts, uncles, children of type 1 parents, nieces, nephews, people with type 1 themselves and diabetes professionals, all affected by type 1.

“I have type 1 diabetes and I work with patients that have diabetes.  A permanent vacation from this disease motivates me.”—- Shannon

Perhaps most painful to read were emails from several parents who continued their advocacy work for a cure in honor of the children they lost to type 1, young children and young adults just beginning life on their own.

“We want to get involved again so that someday no one will have to say at the bottom of their loved one’s obituary, ‘In lieu of flowers please make donations to the JDRF.”—-  Ken

The emails I received were all touching and inspiring.  But collectively, they are something else, too: Empowering.

“With each new JDRF ‘friend’ I vow to work harder and push our lawmakers’ understanding of  type 1 and the enormous positive impact the Special Diabetes Program has had and will have, IF it continues!”—- Melinda

These emails show the determination, conviction and strength of our advocates and their drive to make life better for people with type 1.  Advocates described improvements they had already seen in diabetes care and management including better tools: smaller needles, glucose meters, insulin pumps and improved insulins. Many of these, and the research and clinical trials needed to produce them, are a product of the Special Diabetes Program funding. There is also much excitement about the continuing development of the Artificial Pancreas, now in outpatient clinical trials.

“Having a normal life and the prospect of a healthy future motivate me. The APP has me keeping up the hope!”—- Julia

Also expressed was a deep gratitude to you, the JDRF community, for the role you have played in making the research become a reality with many new therapies now available. By advocating for federal funding (SDP) during  JDRF’s Promise to Remember Me campaign and through private fundraising, great progress has been made.

“I do it for my son…. I know, had it not been for the pump he wears, his glucose level would not be as stable as it is.  His health is a direct result of the efforts of the JDRF and volunteers like us. I have made it my life’s goal to do everything I can to foster advocacy for diabetics everywhere.  There will be a cure and we will both be part of finding it.”—- Frank

As advocates and as those whose loved ones have type 1, we are united in purpose.   The future holds much promise for people with type 1 if research continues to receive adequate funding.

Both as individuals and collectively, we have the power to shape diabetes research going forward. Either we succeed in having the SDP renewed, or lose the $150 million in SDP research funding for type 1, permanently. The results would be catastrophic for future research to treat, cure, and prevent type 1.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the desire for a cure for type 1 reaches to the ends of the earth! Responses to my email even came from Greece and Australia asking what they could to help. The common refrain in scores of emails was, “tell me what I can do to ensure the research continues for a better life for those with type 1 and ultimately a cure.”

Advocating for continued funding couldn’t be easier:  watch for emails in the coming weeks/months from JDRF Advocacy that will explain how taking two minutes to phone or email your legislator can make a HUGE difference. $150 million is at stake and so is the future of type 1 research. This is a call for everyone to get involved to ensure that the Special Diabetes Program is renewed!

Please  leave me a comment below and tell me who motivates you!

Camille
JDRF Advocacy