When I was a child, every New Year’s Day my mother offered this prediction to her children: how we behaved that day would set the tone for the rest of the year.
My mother hoped this pronouncement would inspire good behavior. But fatigue from the stimulation of endless holiday gatherings, late nights, and not enough sleep would take its toll. And so, as the holidays ended and as we began the New Year, the day was often punctuated by crying or fighting (or both).
My mothers’ adage was not completely off, though. As the day wore on, my siblings and I began to prepare mentally for a return to normalcy ---regular bedtimes, school, homework and chores.
My own children are young adults now, but I still repeat my mother’s adage to them each January 1. And, as the old year ends, and we begin a new one, I do a mental tally of the ups and downs of the year, the joys usually well outweighing the sorrows. I also consider what resolutions to make for the New Year. For the past twelve years there has been one resolution that tops my list: to do everything I can to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes. In practice, it’s actually not very complicated and has mostly to do with using my voice and my power...the power of persuasion, that is. I do this as a JDRF Government Relations Advocate.
JDRF’s Advocacy Program gives me a place to put my energy, hopes and resolve to create a better future for my daughter, Julia, and others living with type 1. I have never doubted that life for people with type 1 will be improved through research to find new therapies. Now, with the development of the Artificial Pancreas, it feels as if this progress is quickly accelerating.
Through letters to the FDA and with visits to legislators in the Promise to Remember Me Campaign, JDRF advocates pressed the FDA to publish draft guidance that provides a clear and reasonable route to make the Artificial Pancreas available to patients sooner rather than later. With the help of four incredibly hardworking Promise Co-chairs: Jill Geisendorfer, Mary Horn, Judy Krtek and Laurie DeSchryver, a network of other volunteer leaders, and with the help of our very hard-working staff in DC, we are on a pace to complete a record number of Promise to Remember Me meetings.
As of now, we have completed an impressive 292 meetings. That leaves 140 meetings still to be scheduled---still a substantial number of meetings to get us to our goal of 432. Promise meetings with legislators are essential to building support for the development of the Artificial Pancreas. They also lay the groundwork for our next “ask” in the coming year: the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program. Each Promise meeting held is a promise of support and awareness.
Resolutions, whether made on New Year’s Day or at any time during the year are a good thing. They encourage us to think about what’s important, to back up our convictions with actions, and to strive towards a goal. As JDRF Advocates, our goal is to improve life for those with type 1 diabetes. Right now this means improved therapies like the Artificial Pancreas and to strive towards achieving our ultimate goal: a cure for type 1 diabetes. These are not only worthy goals. They are essential goals. We will reach them together, lending our voices, energy, time, and talents. Signing up for a Promise meeting is your opportunity to be a part of this. These meetings are interesting, fun, stress-free and make a powerful statement. They let your legislator know why a cure is important, what improved therapies mean to those living with diabetes and enlisting his or her support to make these a reality.
Please always feel free to contact me at advocacy@jdrf.org if I can be of help as you continue your advocacy with JDRF. Working together, surely a cure is in reach.
Do you have a diabetes-related New Year's resolution? Let me know in the comments below.
Thank You Camille!! It is a privilege to work with such a dedicated mother and committed leader. I "Promise" to continue to pursue better treatments to a cure by supporting the JDRF in all Government Relations Advocacy endeavors.
Such a wonderful post, Camille. I'm with you for 432.
Well said, Camille. The Promise campaign is so important in our effort to reach the cure. There are so many enthusiastic and brilliant researchers who are working diligently to this end. If we can continue their funding, I'm convinced that we will be successful.