Domi Helping Group Lobby for Diabetes Research Funding

GLENDALE --Coyotes forward Max Domi is spending time in Washington, D.C., this week supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as it urges federal lawmakers to continue to fund diabetes research.
Domi, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 12 years old, is one of the JDRF's 10 "celebrity advocates" at this year's JDRF Children's Congress.
Every other year, 150 children living with type 1 diabetes assemble in the U.S. capital as delegates to meet with members of Congress and to explain to them the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes and why funding for research is critical. The children, ages 4 to 17, represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Three delegates from Arizona are attending this year's Children's Congress.

"We're trying to get money from Congress for the SDP, which is the Special Diabetes Program," Domi told NHL Network. "We're all down here just trying to share our story and tell a little bit about what we deal with (as type 1 diabetics)."
Other "celebrity advocates" at this year's Children's Congress include actress Brec Bassinger, IndyCar driver Charlie Kimball, author/former Miss America Nicole Johnson, and actor Paul Sparks.
Per the JDRF, the SDP is a critical program that provides $150 million annually for type 1 diabetes research at the National Institutes of Health, the country's premiere medical research agency. The SDP was most recently renewed by Congress in April 2015 and is currently set to expire on Sept. 30. Renewal of the SDP is one of JDRF's top legislative priorities, to ensure that promising SDP-funded research can continue delivering results toward better treatments, therapies, and, ultimately, a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Domi, with help from his father Tie, recently shaved his lengthy beard to inspire donations for diabetes research. In two weeks since shaving, Domi has raised more than $68,000.
NOTE: Click
here to visit Domi's GoFundMe page