4-year-old El Dorado Hills boy chosen to advocate for Type 1 diabetes research in Washington D.C.

A 4-year-old El Dorado Hills boy has been chosen to represent California in a delegation that will meet with members of Congress about the need for ongoing research of Type 1 diabetes. Landon Capozzoli is joining 170 other youths from across the U.S. to represent Breakthrough T1D, a global Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. The group will travel to Washington, D.C., from July 7-9 for the event, "Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children's Congress." Landon was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 2; his mother, Kennedy Capozzoli, said despite constant blood sugar checks, carb counting, insulin shots and other daily challenges that come with managing Type 1 diabetes, that hasn't slowed him or lowered his spirits. "(Landon is) a big-hearted, fun-loving kid who lights up every room he enters. He gives the best hugs, loves to make people laugh and has a smile as contagious as his giggle," said Kennedy. During the Washington trip, this group of youths ages 4 to 17 will engage in several activities on Capitol Hill, including attending a Senate hearing featuring personal testimonies that highlight the challenges of living with Type 1 diabetes and the need for continued federal funding through the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) and accelerating cell therapies. Joining the U.S. delegates are five international delegates traveling from Australia, Canada, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Together, the delegates will convey to the Federal government that Type 1 diabetes is a global issue that requires a global response. "Breakthrough T1D Children's Congress" was inspired by a boy from Massachusetts named Thom Solo. At the age of 9, he asked his mother, "Why can't kids go to Washington and tell their Representatives about what it's like to have Type 1 diabetes and let them know that we want scientists to find a cure?" His mom and other leadership volunteers agreed and, in 1999, the first Children's Congress took place in Washington, D.C. Since then, more than 1,000 kids with Type 1 diabetes have served as delegates, and the event has been essential to securing continued government funding for research and raising awareness of the daily burden experienced by people living with this serious autoimmune disease, according to Breakthrough T1D. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make very little or no insulin. This leads to dependence on insulin therapy and the risk of short- and long-term complications, which can include highs and lows in blood sugar; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves and heart; and even death. Globally, the disease impacts nearly 9 million people, Breakthrough T1D said in a statement. Many believe T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, but diagnosis in adulthood is common and accounts for nearly 50 percent of all T1D diagnoses. The onset of T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D.