Published: July 16, 2007 01:24 pm      

YOUTH POWER: Local youngsters make a difference on Capitol Hill

On June 19, 150 members of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Children’s Congress blitzed Capitol Hill with one message: Renew and increase funding for Type 1 diabetes.

Alyssa Gierke of North Tonawanda and Paul Tatu of Kenmore were selected to participate in the Congress based on essays they wrote on diabetes and its effects. Gierke and Tatu were allowed to meet individually with their representatives and discuss the importance of continuing funding and research for Type 1 diabetes and to pass the bill that renews the Special Diabetes Program, which is due to expire in 2008.

“We wanted the legislators to renew it now so research wouldn’t stop or hold back,” said Paul Tatu’s father, Ken. “You can’t hold new clinical trials if you don’t know if you’re going to have funding next year.”

The Special Diabetes Program, which originally passed with $150 million in funding, is now a part of a bill that includes a $50 million increase over four years, bringing the program to $200 million.

Gierke and Tatu had to participate in “Blitz Training Sessions” where they met with lobbyists who told the participants about the different bills in the House of Representatives versus the Senate and how to speak with legislators and keep the focus on the Special Diabetes Program.

Already the effects of past legislation and research are being seen. The FDA recently approved a continuous glucose monitor that charts glucose levels throughout the day in order to minimize long-term health risks.

“[The Children’s Congress] really does make a difference,” said Tatu. “It gets legislators thinking about other people’s problems.”

Besides meeting individually with legislators like Sens. Clinton and Schumer and Reps. Reynolds and Slaughter, Gierke and Tatu participated in a number of events, including performing a song on Capitol Hill that was written for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Promise to Remember Me. They also attended an event called “Role Models in Sports” where athletes with Type 1 diabetes, including Kendall Simmons of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Adam Morrison of the Charlotte Bobcats, encouraged the young delegates to pursue all their interests despite their diabetes.

Gierke and Tatu are keeping an ear out for news on whether the legislation they worked so hard to support has passed. Most likely, the news will come in the fall. For now, they are grateful for the experience.

“A lot of individuals came together as a group,” said Ken Gierke. “When individuals unify and get together for the same cause and purpose, that’s when people accomplish things in the government.”