Young people with Type 1 diabetes will converge next month to raise awareness for their disease with a famous face leading their way. Actress Mary Tyler Moore announced the event today at a National Press Club. The upcoming “Promise to Remember Me” will be held June 22-24.
Moore who is the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, said, “I love talking to these kids, answering their questions, hearing their triumphs, their fears...and because they share their stories with me I am able to witness the special courage of our children with Type 1. It is in their courage that I find new strength to face my own day to day challenges with diabetes, as well as other things.”
Type 1 diabetes is a disease that is sometimes referred to as "juvenile diabetes" because it develops in children, adolescents and young adults. People suffering from the disease have to control it with diet, exercise and insulin. They also have to be conscience of their blood sugar levels. There is currently no cure for diabetes.
The Children’s Congress includes 150 delegates from across the country. Their goal is to persuade Congress to remember them when voting on important issues, such as stem cell research, that could affect the discovery of a cure for Type 1 diabetes.
“It is the energy and commitment of our Type 1 families that makes me certain that we will, soon, be able to translate promising research into promises kept for a cure,” said Moore.
Moore has written a new book entitled Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes. She noted that in the book she wanted to highlight two main areas of JDRF research: development of an artificial pancreas and the increasing work being done to translate new ideas into new therapies and cures.
She did not publicly share that she had Type 1 until 1984 when she was asked to become the JDRF International Chairman. She added, “I had not yet taken ownership of my diabetes. I wasn’t sure I wanted the world to know that behind the smile that could turn it on was an independent woman who was dependent on multiple shots of insulin a day, just to stay alive.”
Moore said she is grateful that she was asked to serve in the position and has learned a lot about herself by sharing some of her “personal self” with the public. She is also proud to be a part of JDRF and its continually extensive Type 1 research for a cure.