Jeff Sessions (Sen-AL-S)

On Wednesday, September 28th, Senator Jeff Sessions graciously met with dedicated Alabama JDRF advocates as part of the Promise to Remember Me Campaign. In attendance were Cameron, Charlie, Gretchen, and Michelle Crouse, Kelsi, Kaeson, and Dawn Hotchkiss, Caden James and Stacy Mitchell, Jenna and Grace Richardson, Meredith and Laurel Whitt, Taylor and Jamie Wilson, Alabama Advocacy Team Chair Kathy During, and JDRF Staff Member Sara Hood. Meeting participants introduced themselves and talked a little about how diabetes impacts their lives. The Senator was quite smitten with two of the youngest attendees, Kelsi and Caden James, both diagnosed at age two. Their moms, Dawn and Stacy, shared the particular challenges of managing diabetes in children this young. The older attendees, Taylor, Meredith, and Cameron bravely shared how diabetes does not hold them back from pursuing their many interests and activities. However, all three were in agreement that they were holding on for a cure, and excited about any technology that would make managing their diabetes easier. The group thanked Senator Sessions for signing the letter to the FDA in support of outpatient trials for the artificial pancreas technology. They talked about how this technology would be life changing in the management of diabetes care. The Senator was especially impressed that the artificial pancreas has such an impact on how people with diabetes monitor their blood sugar and insulin intake. Senator Sessions was also very encouraged by the study highlighting how an artificial pancreas would reduce the deadly complications of the disease, as well as the overall financial burden on the healthcare system. JDRF Staff member Sara Hood presented the Senator with a WALK to Cure Diabetes Shirt from the chapter's recent walk. Senator Sessions thanked the families for all they do on behalf of a cure for type 1 diabetes.