JDRF has built a nationwide network of Advocates who are dedicated to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and working together to advance the search for a cure faster and more effectively. This letter, written by 10 year old Nicky Williams and her father, was submitted by Nicky’s mother, Sara Williams.
Nicky Williams and Congresswoman Eshoo
When it comes to fighting type 1 diabetes, JDRF’s strength lies in the numbers and the ability of Advocates to work together to build bonds–bonds with one another, as well as with Members of Congress. These relationships strengthen our community, provide support for those who are living with type 1 diabetes, and deliver our message–the need for a cure–faster and more effectively.
Nicky taking Eshoo's glucose reading
As a JDRF Advocate, your personal story takes on added impact when you join forces with thousands of other Advocates across the country. If you are not already registered as an Advocate, you can become one today. Just a few minutes of your time each year will make a difference in this crucial effort.
Once you’ve registered as an Advocate, you can help Spread the Word and participate in other important JDRF advocacy programs.
Learn more about Advocacy here.
September 2, 2010
Dear Congresswoman Eshoo,
Hi! My name is Nicky Williams and I am 10 years old. Four months ago (May 1, 2010) I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
"Nicky" Mary Williams
During my first hospital stay I asked the doctor at Stanford’s Lucille Packard’s Hospital how to get rid of my Type 1 Diabetes. The doctor told me that there is no cure but that some very smart people are working hard to find treatments and hopefully a cure. I want to be one of those smart people who helps find a cure. So, I now work really hard to raise money and awareness around Type 1 Diabetes.
I think you are one of those smart people. You sponsor bills in Congress that allow for research and funding that helps fight diabetes. You are a member of the Congressional Diabetes Caucaus that helps educate other grown-ups in Washington D.C. about Type 1 Diabetes. You care about kids like me!
Together you and I can make an awesome team. I can tell you all about what it is like to live with Type 1 Diabetes and I can help raise money to help find a cure. You can work with everyone in Washington D.C. so they don’t forget about Type 1 Diabetes kids and you can remind Congress and the President to vote “yes” for more funding and support for Type 1 Diabetes.
As my new teammate I need to introduce you to my other friends with Type 1 Diabetes. My Type 1 Diabetes friends and I have made up our own club called Team M.N.V. The team is made up of me, Maile Sussman, and Veronica Reynolds. Our team teaches other kids about Type 1 Diabetes plus we raise a lot of money to help fight Type 1 Diabetes.
On Oct. 23rd Team M.N.V. and all our friends from school will be walking across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco with JDRF’s Walk-a-Thon, Walk-to-Cure Diabetes. We want you to join us for the walk as our special guest. Don’t worry about raising money; I’ll raise enough for the both of us. You just need to come out and meet other kids who have Diabetes, plus you get a t-shirt. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen
One last important thing we need to talk about. The lady at JDRF said that there is a bill in Congress that needs to be approved right away. The bill is called The Special Diabetes Program. Some Congress people think it doesn’t have to be renewed until next year (2011). But if Congress waits, the people finding a cure may not get their money in time. But, if Congress renews the funding now than the smart people working on a cure will not have to stop and wait. This way the cure will happen even sooner. So can you have Congress vote on the bill as soon as they get back to work in September?
I get out of school at 2:40pm¸ so if you want Maile, Veronica, and I can call everyone in Congress and remind them to vote in September. We are all really hard workers.
Thank you for meeting with me today and thank you for being my team mate.
Your Friend,
“Nicky” Mary Williams
