Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R–FL–04)

Meeting Summary

• Meeting held

Meeting Attendees:

A meeting was held in the Jacksonville, FL office of Congressman Crenshaw on Thursday, September 13, 1007.  We had 8 advocates in attendance:  Kaylin Hoffmann (age 6) with her sister, Trinity and grandmother, Melody Hoffmann; Ashley Yount (age 12) and her mother Alanna Yount;  Casey Burkhalter (age 14) and her mother, Leslie Burkhalter;  Brooks Biagini, Executive Director North Florida Chapter JDRF. Congressman Crenshaw enjoyed talking with each of the children about their life with diabetes.  Casey Burkhalter, a 2007 Childrens Congress delegate and who has met with Congressman Crenshaw several times in the past, gave him a copy of the “Jacksonville Magazine” which featured an article on Casey and a picture of her checking the Congressman’s blood sugar.  Kaylin brought him a card.  In it she drew a picture of herself (with her pump) and wrote “please promise to remember me.”  The most touching story came from Ashley Yount as she explained to Congressman Crenshaw what it was like to watch her grandfather (a type I diabetic) suffer from the complications that often come with the disease such as amputation, heart and kidney disease, and early death. We discussed with Congressman Crenshaw how vital the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program is in the continuation of current diabetes research such as the CGMS, the Artificial Pancreas Project and so much more that helps prevent some of the complications of diabetes.  Ultimately, one of these studies could be the one that holds the key to “The Cure!” Our meeting ended with us asking Congressman Crenshaw to, “Promise to Remember the Children!”