A 16-year old from Hough High has been selected by JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, to join a delegation of youth advocates in Washington, D.C. this summer at JDRF 2019 Children’s Congress.

JACK CUSICK, 16

Jack Cusick, whose parents are Tracey and Chris Cusick, will join other youth delegates in lobbying members of Congress to remind them of the vital need to continue supporting T1D research.

The youth come from all 50 states. They’ll share personal testimonies that highlight the challenges of living with T1D and the need for continued funding for projects such as the Special Diabetes Program (SDP).

Young Jack is part of Captain Jack’s Crusaders which was started by his parents 12 years ago. He was newly diagnosed with T1D and family and friends immediately got involved with fundraising for JDRF. Since 2004, the team has raised over $100,000 for JDRF to fund research for a cure.

“I’m excited to head to Washington, DC to share my story so they can better understand what a day in the life is like for a Type 1 Diabetic,” Jack said.

JDRF Children’s Congress was inspired by (then) eight-year-old Tommy Solo from Massachusetts, in 1999. He overheard adult JDRF volunteers talking about going to Washington, D.C. to talk to Congress and thought it was important that children go, too, and make their voices heard.

JDRF Children’s Congress encourages national lawmakers to remember the children who live with T1D when making decisions about medical research funding and voting on other important Federal Government issues relating to diabetes.

The young Delegates’ personal stories, told in their own words, are often more powerful than almost any other type of education a legislator and staff can receive.

Tommy’s idea quickly became a well-developed event, first held in 1999. Since then, JDRF Children’s Congress has occurred every other year.

To learn more about JDRF Children’s Congress, please visit http://cc.jdrf.org/.