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Lucy Arevalo is 16 years old and will be a junior this year at Fort Madison High School. She is also the junior class president! This past week, Lucy attended the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Children’s Congress 2023 in Washington DC.
Lucy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 10 years ago when she was 6 years old. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease typically diagnosed in young people. There is no known cure and no known cause, but the body stops making insulin. Lucy uses an insulin pump.
"For my family, we are very lucky to be able to afford all of the supplies I need for insulin. For some families, though, they aren't as fortunate as we are, and it gets very expensive," said Lucy in an interview for WGEM.
She’s been involved with JDRF walks, galas, fundraisers, etc. since she was 6 years old. This year she was selected as 1 of 2 Iowa delegates to go to Washington DC. 160 kids went to Washington DC to meet with lawmakers from their state.
Lucy and her family also attended a Senate hearing about the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) and the Insulin Act. The SDP funds research for a cure for Type 1 diabetes as well as devices and treatments to improve life for Type 1 diabetics. The Insulin Act is to ensure that diabetics have access to insulin at no more than $35 a month. Many diabetics cannot afford it and are forced to ration insulin.
"Since insulin is required to keep a type one diabetic person alive, it should be available to everyone who needs it. Thankfully both the Insulin Act and the SDP are non-partisan (supported by Democrats and Republicans)," Lucy's mom, Allison Arevalo.
Lucy met with Joni Ernst, Marianette Miller-Meeks, and Chuck Grassley‘s office.