A local teen from Las Vegas was chosen by Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, to join a delegation of their peers and celebrity advocates in Washington, D.C., at Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress July 7-9, 2025.
Lily P., age 15, will join other youth representatives from across the country to meet with their respective members of Congress and other key decision makers to inform them of the critical role they can play in supporting the T1D community.
Throughout the event, the youth, ages four to 17, participate in leadership and character-building programming, interact with T1D role models, and engage in a number of activities on Capitol Hill, including attending a Senate hearing featuring personal testimonies that highlight the challenges of living with T1D and the need for continued Federal funding through the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) and accelerating cell therapies.
Joining the U.S. delegates are five international delegates traveling from Australia, Canada, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Together, the delegates will convey to the Federal government that T1D is a global issue that requires a global response.
“Every day these youth and their parents face the burden of type 1 diabetes, and by sharing their stories they become powerful advocates in the fight to end this disease,” said Celia Wheeler, Nevada Chapter Executive Director. “Children’s Congress empowers youth living with type 1 diabetes to speak with a unified voice to urge Federal leaders to support the entire T1D community.”
“I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was 19-months old. Being selected to attend Children’s Congress is an honor, especially being the only delegate from Nevada,” said Lily. “It is amazing to meet the other Delegates and to have the opportunity to advocate for other kids living with T1D just like myself.”
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