So, what is Kids in the House anyway?
If you have been following JDRF across our social channels or have been speaking to any of our amazing advocates, you may have heard of Kids in the House. If you want to learn more about what it is and what we’re hoping to achieve, keep on reading!
What is Kids in the House?
Kids in the House is one of the biggest highlights of our advocacy program, where over 100 kids (and adults!) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) visit Parliament House in Canberra to remind their MP that research holds the key. This year, on Tuesday 26th November, we have a full and exciting day planned – including a soccer match, hundreds of meetings with MPs and Senators, and lunch where our advocates will be joined by their local members – amongst many other things!
Kids in the House is a culmination of many months of work from JDRF advocates all over Australia. They have been meeting with local members and Senators in their electorates and talking to them about life with T1D and the importance of research funding to create a better future for the T1D community. Kids in the House is an opportunity to reconnect with these MPs and Senators and show them, once again, why scientific investment is so important.
Giselle, 14 years old, diagnosed aged 9
A type 1 diabetes cure would mean the world to me. It would mean that my life would be amazing. It would be so much easier. I wouldn’t have to think about putting in carbs, putting in insulin, making sure my blood’s right, having jellybeans.
My message to Members of Parliament is that we need funding to continue research to find a cure and to prevent type 1 diabetes in the future. It’s all about the funding in the end. We just need to turn type 1 into type none.
What are we asking for at Kids in the House?
We are asking for a further $50m over four years for the continuation of the JDRF Australia Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network (T1DCRN). The T1DCRN is a highly successful and impactful research network that has been running for over a decade thanks to ongoing bipartisan support. Its main goal is to increase the amount of T1D clinical research happening right here in Australia. Over the past 10+ years, the Network has become one of the key drivers of T1D research in the country and led to countless breakthroughs for the community. However, the funding previously committed to the T1DCRN has been almost fully invested in research, meaning we can’t extend leading projects already underway, or fund new, promising research.
A further $50m would ensure world-class T1D research can continue to take place in Australia, that Australians living with type 1 diabetes can access trials, and that treatments can go from the lab to being safe and effective for people.
Zeph, 11 years old, diagnosed aged 2
I am 11 years old and have lived with type 1 diabetes for almost 10 years. I have a non-identical twin sister, but her pancreas works. Since I was diagnosed at the age of two, I don’t really know what it was like when I was young – but I do know now that it is hard. Continuing research means the world to me, because if I had a cure, it would change my life forever.
How will we show this?
We know that the people who are best placed to make the case for T1D research funding are our community. The families impacted by T1D who are all too familiar with the challenges T1D brings and the difference improved preventions, treatments, and cures would bring. That is why we are taking a united voice to Parliament House with over 100 advocates reminding parliamentarians that research holds the key.
Ethan, 15 years old, diagnosed aged 4
Living with type 1 diabetes can be really hard and challenging, because some days you’re really high and you feel really dizzy, and some days you’re really low and just can’t get back up. Research is very important to finding a cure. That would be all of us could live our best lives without worrying about all the struggles of type 1 diabetes. One day, we will find a cure.
What can we do to support?
Make sure you’re following our social media channels so you can see our Kids in the House activities underway in real time. We’ll be sharing exciting updates and content next Monday and Tuesday, and we’d love for you to like, comment, and share – so that everyone can see the amazing work of JDRF’s advocates! We are so excited, and we hope that you are too!
