Government Relations
Apply Now for Children's Congress!
Calling all children with Type 1 Diabetes to apply for 2011!
Every two years, JDRF International Chairman Mary Tyler Moore and over a hundred children with type 1 diabetes gather in Washington, DC to meet face-to-face with some of the top decision-makers in the U.S. government. The children, ages 4 to 17, represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As participants in JDRF's Children's Congress (CC), they have a unique and empowering opportunity to help Members of Congress understand what life with type 1 diabetes is like and why research to find the cure for diabetes and its complications is so critical.
Children's Congress will take place on June 19-22, 2011 in Washington, DC.
The CC application will be available later this month, but you can recieve now by texting "CC11' to 56333.
There are three main criteria for applying for the 2011 Children's Congress are:
- The applicant must have type 1 diabetes.
- The applicant must be between the ages of 4 and 17 in June of 2011.
- The applicant cannot have attended any previous Children's Congress event.
If you meet these three criteria, just text 'CC11' to 56333. Standard text messaging rates will apply.
Children's Congress 2009
150 children with type 1 diabetes – ages 4 to 17 – representing all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia were selected as delegates for the JDRF Children’s Congress 2009 held in Washington D.C. June 22 to 24, 2009. Their goal—to raise awareness about type 1 (juvenile) diabetes and increase Congressional support to help develop a cure.
Children’s Congress welcomed five honorary international delegates from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, and the United Kingdom.
The JDRF Children’s Congress is the largest media and grassroots event held in support of finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Mary Tyler Moore, JDRF International Chairman, again lead the way for the children during the JDRF Children’s Congress 2009.
JDRF Children’s 
Congress 2009 included Congressional visits by the child delegates and a Senate hearing where Ms. Moore, select child delegates and researchers will testify.
“Promise to Remember Me” served as the children’s theme – a powerful call to lawmakers to remember their struggle and the urgency of providing more funds to diabetes research to find a cure.
Ms. Moore and the child delegates asked Members of Congress to support an increase in overall funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health.
Cynthia Ford of 
Grosse Point Farms, Michigan was Chair of the JDRF Children’s Congress 2009. Along with her husband Edsel and son Albert, who has type 1 diabetes, they served as the designated Chair Family.
The Senate Co-Chairs of Children’s Congress 2009 were Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and the House Co-Chairs are Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE).
President Obama with Children's Congress Delegates
Resources
Visit JDRF's national Children's Congress page for complete information
Nick Jonas Testifies at 2009 Children's Congress
President Obama with Delegates of 2009 Children's Congress
Learn more about Children's Congress and how to apply for 2011
