Meeting enables young diabetics to share challenges of disease

Megan Christensen, 14, was one of 150 delegates selected by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International to attend its Children's Congress June 17-20 in Washington, D.C.

The event, which has taken place every other year since 1999, helps raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes and efforts to find a cure.

The foundation's Children's Congress featured delegates from the United States as well as six international delegates from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, Greece and the United Kingdom. Participants ranged in age from 4 to 17.

Megan was one of three girls from Nevada selected to attend the Children's Congress. The other two were Jordan Exber, 14, from Las Vegas and Anna Ressel, 13, from Sparks.

Megan applied to attend the Children's Congress by writing a letter that discussed living with diabetes and the need to find a cure.

"It is a really scary disease. It makes life harder to live with," said Megan, who was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 5. "Every time I eat I have to test my blood sugar and do an insulin shot."

At the Children's Congress, participants attended a hearing of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, where six delegates spoke about living with diabetes. In addition, Foundation International Chairwoman Mary Tyler Moore discussed the need to renew the Special Diabetes Program. Created in 1997, the program provides $150 million for funding diabetes research. The bill is up for renewal in 2008.

As part of the Children's Congress, the delegates also met with their state representatives.

Cory Christensen, who accompanied his daughter to Washington, believes the chances for the bill's renewal are "really high."

"The Nevada delegation was very positive," said Christensen, who added that some of the money will go toward developing an artificial pancreas for diabetics.

The delegates met entertainers, too, including Trisha Yearwood, Steve Wariner and "American Idol" finalist Elliot Yamin.

The youngsters attended a discussion panel with professional athletes. The panel included NBA player Adam Morrison, Kendall Simmons of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Michelle McGann of the LPGA, NASCAR Busch series driver Dexter Bean and others sharing their own experiences of living with Type 1 diabetes and being active in sports.

Megan, who plays sports including volleyball and lacrosse, is aware of the difficulties of being an athlete who is a diabetic.

"You have to test your blood sugar during the game and you might have to be pulled out if the level drops," she said.

"Megan loves outdoor sports," said her father, who added that he and Megan's mother, Tara, have to be careful because "diabetics overheat real bad."

Christensen said the Children's Congress is a good experience for kids.

"For the kids, it is amazing," he said, noting that the children were free to walk out of a room to check their blood sugar levels without feeling like they stood out.

The Children's Congress also helped Megan become friends with Australian delegate April Welsh, 13. The girls were paired together as part of a buddy system because Megan and her family had previously lived in Australia.

"We got to hang out," said Megan, who added that they shared meals and went shopping. April and her family are planning to visit Megan next year.

If you know of a worthy candidate for this column, mail information to Youth Spotlight, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070, or send faxes to 383-4676.