Mark Warner (Sen-VA-S)
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JDRF Advocates meet with Senator Mark Warner
The Promise meeting between type 1 advocates and Senator Mark Warner was an extraordinary opportunity for families and the Senator and his staff. Eight families attended; six young people with type 1, ages 7-15, and several siblings. It was a terrific representation from all over Northern VA. The Senator met the advocates in the stairwell for photos, and then spent 10-15 minutes speaking privately with the children. He shared the experience of his daughter who has type 1, and then had his picture taken with the group of children. The Senator then posed for individual photographs with each family. He spoke movingly to the families about his personal experience, the FDA challenge and his willingness to push on that issue if necessary. He did mention that for a while, he was somewhat disappointed that JDRF seemed to focus almost exclusively on a cure for type 1 and didn't spend as much time as he would have liked on treatments and how to live with the disease, but he said he thought a better balance was now being struck. After the meeting with the Senator, the advocates all went to a room with his health aide, Elizabeth Falcone, where children and families told personal stories and pushed hard on getting the Senator to engage on the artificial pancreas guidelines. The Senator's office, perhaps the Senator, would likely be willing to make calls if necessary to FDA. Thank you to Senator Warner and his staff for a great meeting!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - 14:00
Russell Senate Office Building 459
Washington, DC 20510United States
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