Hauppauge teen selected to attend JDRF Children's Congress in Washington, D.C.

Daniel Panaro, will be in Washington, D.C. to meet with Members of Congress to help ensure funding for continued research of Type 1 Diabetes. He is only 15 years old, but has already made a significant impact in helping educate the public and fund research that will lead to cure of Type One Diabetes.

Daniel was diagnosed at 12 years of age and immediately looked toward a future without Type One Diabetes. He became involved with JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) by becoming a Youth Ambassador. Through JDRF Daniel has been able to participate in numerous speaking engagements, fund raise and meet with county executives. His JDRF One Walk Team raised over $15,000 in the last two years.

Daniel was selected from a pool of close to 1300 applicants. Approximately 160 children were chosen to be Delegates at the JDRF Children's Congress. These Delegates, from across the US, as well as Australia, the UK, Israel, Canada, the Netherlands and Denmark will be sharing a once in a lifetime opportunity. They will be surrounded by adults and peers that understand their struggles with Type 1 Diabetes, people who deal with T1D daily. This special group of individuals will include sports legends, such as Cory Vaughn, Charlie Kimball, Brandon Denson and Max Demi, as well as television personalities Cristina Alesci, Austin Basis, Brec Bassinger, Paul Sparks, and Miss American 1999 Nicole Johnson. They will also meet With Aaron Kowalski, the JDRF Chief Mission Officer.

Together they will share stories, offer support and learn about each others lives with T1D. Even more importantly though, is having their voices heard by Senators on Capitol Hill. Each delegate will meet with Senators from their state. Daniel will be meeting with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, as well as Representative Zeldin, to help them understand life with T1D. He will share his story and ask for their continued support for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP), which much be renewed by September 30, 2017.

This program was established in 1997 an has received bipartisan support from Congress since it began. The SDP is presently funded at $150 million per year and represents approximately one-third of all Federal Government research of T1D by the National Institutes of Health. Daniel and his fellow Delegates will be asking for a three-year renewal of the program at $150 million per year. This funding will help ensure the continued research needed to find a cure for T1D.

Daniel is extremely honored to be one of the many Delegates selected. He hopes that his story will help Congress understand the importance of funding for T1D and will help secure monies for the next 3 years with the Special Diabetes Program. Daniel will be doing his part by participating in the JDRF One Walk again this year. If you are interested in his story, or to contribute to his team follow the link below.

http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/panaropower