The JDRF – promise to remember me campaign continues its mission to ‘advocate for a world without Type 1 Diabetes.’
And a local 7th-grader at Watseka’s Glenn Raymond School is doing her part to raise awareness.

Jackie Lynch, the daughter of John and Susan Lynch of Watseka, is an active member of the Illinois chapter of JDRF. She’s a type 1 diabetes patient and her volunteering and fundraising efforts keeps the JDRF effort moving forward.

Miss Lynch has had conversation with Congressman Adam Kinzinger to keep him tuned in to the need for Congress to keep supporting type1 diabetes research. The JDRF advocates meet with members of Congress every congressional session to make sure those unfamiliar with diabetes are educated about the emotional, physical and financial toll type 1 diabetes patients have to endure.

The Illinois chapter is the largest JDRF chapter in the United States. The chapter raised over $4.4 million for research in 2016.

Jackie told the Watseka Kiwanis Chapter the advanced research has helped to reach new heights, including development of a bionic pancreas.

It’s a pump and a continuous glucose pump combined,” Jackie explains. “The monitor will tract upward and downward trends, automatically adjusting insulin flows.”

Jackie’s mother, Susan, says it’s about finding a cure. And with Congressional help, the education message is family and community support.

“Technology has been so progressive with research. But what’s needed is more funding,” Mrs. Lynch said. “Contributions are needed so much for the cause.”

JDRF is one of the most effective grassroots advocacy organizations in the country because of the people whose lives are touched by T1D. Learn more at www.JDRF.org

94.1 WGFA