If you’re reading this blog, then you no doubt support diabetes-related causes, but support and advocacy are not the same. The difference isn’t desire; it’s action.
To support something means you agree with it. I support plenty of things. Some are important, like world peace. Others… less world-changing, such as McDonald’s bringing back the 10-piece Chicken McNugget Meal.
Advocacy, however, means you take action on what you support. You advocate by speaking publicly and using your voice and platform. You might donate. You might educate others and build momentum for your cause. And sometimes, you engage directly with the government.
I had the opportunity to do just that when I traveled to Washington, DC, to advocate for diabetes-related issues before Congress. I joined representatives from twenty diabetes-focused organizations (see the list at the end of the post). When I saw the group that had gathered, it felt like a who’s who of diabetes nonprofits, and I was truly honored to be a part of it.
The group that organized this event was DPAC, the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition. Their mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes by ensuring access to quality care, medications, and devices through policy change. DPAC empowers patient advocates and lawmakers to prioritize diabetes, promote health equity, and remove barriers to affordable care.
We met last Tuesday and spent the afternoon learning about several diabetes-related issues before Congress, preparing our talking points, and refining the personal stories we would share. DPAC provided materials for our meetings with representatives and their staff, and I felt very prepared after the session.
Our groups were divided by state, and I almost died when I realized I’d be on a team with two true rockstars—one I knew, and one I didn’t until that day. I had the incredible opportunity to speak with my congressman alongside Jeff Hitchcock, an absolute legend in the diabetes community. Jeff changed the diabetes world with ChildrenWithDiabetes.com, which he founded after his daughter was diagnosed more than 30 years ago. I also got to spend time with Hannah Opendaker, Director of Development for DPAC and DLC (Diabetes Leadership Council), and a fellow Kutztown University alum, a dream team if there ever was one. Go Bears!
On Wednesday morning, our group posed for a photo on the steps of the Capitol before breaking into our lobbying teams. Visiting the offices of members of Congress was surreal. The buildings are enormous, with endless offices—some modest, others so fancy I wondered if there’s a secret congressional air-conditioning hierarchy. It reminded me of college dorm assignments: freshmen get the tiny rooms, while upperclassmen get AC, bigger spaces, and maybe even a pool table.
The best news is that these issues aren’t politically divisive. Both red and blue members agree on the importance of improving access, affordability, and education for those with diabetes.
Our meetings covered several key issues:
- Increasing transparency and accountability to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs
- Addressing obesity
- Expanding coverage for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Training (DSME/T)
- Protecting access to diabetes technology
- Type 1 diabetes screening
We focused most heavily on two topics: transparency and accountability for out-of-pocket costs, and protecting access to diabetes technology. We had one meeting that went very well, one that was so-so, and two where we decided that just getting our packet in front of them was a victory. (That’s how these types of meetings go—you accept that there are going to be a few stinkers.)
And of course, after a long, hard day, we had some downtime
As I took the train home the following day, I had time to reflect on our very long day. Being part of this coalition was a little intimidating, but also incredibly inspiring—an experience I hope to be a part of again. If there’s a silver lining in diabetes, it’s that our stories have power. They can change policy. They can change lives.
In closing, if you support diabetes, consider advocating. There are lots of different things to advocate for; glucagon in grade schools, addressing food access & nutrition inequity, expanding access to telehealth, are just a few. Take a look at the groups listed below. Take Action.
