Special Diabetes Program (SDP)

Last week, more than 160 delegates from JDRF’s 2013 Children’s Congress stormed Capitol Hill, asking their Members of Congress to sign onto a letter being circulated by House and Senate Diabetes Caucus leaders in support of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP). Please join us now in asking your Members of Congress to sign the letter, by July 31st. Your action today will send a very clear message to Congress about the importance of the SDP and what it means to the future of those living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
The SDP must be renewed this year to continue to build upon the groundbreaking research advances made to date, and to explore innovative new opportunities that lie ahead. While accelerating progress towards a cure, the SDP is developing better treatments and technologies to help manage the disease and reduce costly complications. Without these critical advancements, the costs related to diabetes will continue to go up, and the ultimate goal to end T1D altogether will be delayed.
We need YOUR help! Please take a quick moment to Email your Members of Congress to ask them to sign the SDP letter. We need as many Members of Congress on this letter as possible, and last year, we had strong support in Congress and the SDP was renewed. Today, we need your help in both the House and Senate to extend the SDP again this year! Finally, please don’t forget to forward this Email along to family and friends, and share this action alert on your favorite social media sites.
Thanks for all you do!
JDRF Advocacy

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as my two younger brothers and many of my friends live life with this disease, i felt an immediate responsibility to take part in this. if you would, please take a moment to do the same. below is an example of my personal touch to the email. it can be simple, but every effort counts. thank you!
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Please Sign Onto Letter in Support of Special Diabetes Program (SDP)

Dear [Decision Maker],
As your constituent, I write today to ask that you sign-on to the bipartisan Special Diabetes Program (SDP) support letter being circulated by the Congressional Diabetes Caucus co-chairs, recognizing the importance of the SDP, which represents 35 percent of the federal investment in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.

This issue is very important to me personally! I have two younger brothers and 4 very close friends who all live with type 1 diabetes. While this trial in life has proven itself to be a blessing in some ways, it is also a disease that has stripped away time that can never be regained or extended. My family and my friends amaze me with their strength, discipline, and patience. Both Christopher and Brenden, my  two brothers, have been admitted to the hospital multiple times as a result of this disease. Christopher, the older of the two, has been close to death twice in his life already. To have you sign on to the SDP support letter would mean more than the world to me - it would mean life.

The SDP must continue to build upon the groundbreaking research advances made to date, and to explore innovative new opportunities that lie ahead. While accelerating progress towards a cure, the SDP is developing better treatments and technologies to help manage type 1 diabetes (T1D) and reduce costly complications. Without these critical advancements, the costs related to diabetes will continue to go up, and the ultimate goal to end T1D altogether will be delayed.

Your support of the SDP is greatly appreciated. Thank you for standing up for me, for my loved ones, and for all people affected by T1D.
Sincerely,
Brittaney Mickelsen