15-year-old Samuel Munday, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age eleven, will be representing Australia at the JDRF 2013 Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C., United States in July. Sam will join 150 children with T1D to convey a clear message to the U.S. government that T1D is a global problem requiring a united effort.
Sam has long been an advocate for type 1 diabetes research and has participated in other JDRF events in Australia. He and the other international delegates will travel to Washington, D.C. not only as representatives for children with diabetes in their respective countries, but for all children around the world affected by the disease. Joining Sam in Washington, D.C. will be other JDRF Children’s Congress international delegates from Canada, Denmark, Israel, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Sam says: “To find a cure for diabetes would be an incredible dream for me and thousands of other children around the world, I can’t wait to meet some of them at Children’s Congress. Find a cure would mean I could live without the worry of the effects of diabetes and the complications it brings.”
While in Washington, D.C., Sam will be paired with a “buddy” from among the U.S. delegates. These children will be given a valuable opportunity to learn first-hand from each other about advocacy efforts in the other’s country. Their networking and learning experience at Children’s Congress will be beneficial in implementing future advocacy programs in Australia.
Children’s Congress is the largest media and grassroots advocacy event held in support of finding better treatments and a cure for T1D. The newly-selected delegates will follow in the footsteps of their predecessors in raising national awareness for T1D and participating in personal advocacy at the highest level of the United States government.
The event inspires lawmakers to remember the children who live with T1D when making decisions about medical research and voting on other important federal issues relating to diabetes. The young delegates’ stories, told in their own words, are often more powerful than almost any other type of legislator education.
To learn more about JDRF Children’s Congress, please visit http://cc.jdrf.org/.
Congratulations Sam and good luck with your exciting American adventure!