Good morning. As I have spent the last days preparing for the visit of my family for the Thanksgiving holiday, I have been
thinking about what I am grateful for.  As the National Chair of JDRF Advocacy and the parent of a
daughter with type 1 diabetes, I am often reminded of what our JDRF community
has accomplished, and also of how much more there is to do.

I have communicated
with many of you here on the “Type One Nation” Advocacy blog throughout the fall about
why securing a multi-year renewal of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) before Congress adjourns for the year is
imperative. The SDP provides $150 million a year through the federal government
for critical T1D research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What am I grateful for?  I am grateful for my daughter and for all of my family. I am
also grateful for my “other family” – that is, my JDRF family, and the work we
do together at JDRF Advocacy.  I am
thankful for SDP funding to cure, treat and prevent diabetes. I know that the improved
therapies we have today are a result of the SDP and that a better, healthier
future for my daughter and for all people with diabetes requires that we
continue our efforts, and that we Don’t Stop Now – RENEW THE SDP.

Please leave me a
comment below, and tell me why YOU are thankful for SDP research.  Then, retweet this on Twitter, share this on Facebook, and please let
as many of your friends and family as possible see the above image on your
social networks.

Enjoy the holiday, the company of loved ones, and then rest
up.  We’re going to need to put all
our energy into advocacy efforts when Congress returns to Washington next week.

Today and every day, thank you for all you do.

Camille Nash
JDRF Advocacy
National
Volunteer Chair