NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Brothers from New Rochelle were chosen by JDRF, the leading global organization focused on type one diabetes(T1D) research, to join a delegation of children and celebrity advocates in Washington, D.C. this summer at JDRF 2017 Children’s Congress from July 24-26. Ethan, 16, and Ari Mayblum, 10 will join nearly 160 other children from around the U.S. to lobby their Members of Congress and remind them of the vital need to support T1D research that could reduce the burden of this disease and ultimately find a cure.
These children-ages 4 to 17, and representing all 50 states- will participate in a number of activities on the Hill, including a Congressional Committee hearing to share personal testimonies that highlights the daily struggles of living with T1D and the need for continued funding for the research projects such as the Special Diabetes Program (SDP).
Joining the U.S. Delegates will be siX international Delegates from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Together the delegates will convey a clear message to the Federal Government that T1D is a global platform that needs global effort.
“These children and their parents face the burden of type one diabetes every day, and by sharing their stories, they become the most powerful advocates we have in fighting type one diabetes. They represent millions of other families like mine who need the support of the government to help us end this disease,” says Derek Rapp, JDRF President and CEO.”Children’s Congress gives the T1D community a unified voice in front of Congress and a way to urge our government leaders to continue supporting research.”
Serving as Chair of JDRF 2017 Children’s Congress will be Angie Platt of Encino, Calif., whose 13-year old son, Jonathan, was diagnosed with T1D at age 6. Angie s a member of JDRF’s International Board of Directors and previously chaired the 2013 Children’s Congress. As chair of the event, she will help engage, support and energize all these Delegates and their families during the advocacy efforts up on Capitol Hill.
“It frustrated me that people would make things harder for others for a just a small financial gains,” said Ethan, who is passionate about changing the new healthcare laws after their consequences. “The same hard work and dedication I put into my diabetes, I translate to learning,” he added.