Local 11-year-old visits DC for diabetes research

Special to the Weston Observer

A Weston student was one of 170 youths from across the country to visit Washington, D.C. over the summer as part of a team advocating for type 1 diabetes research.

Stefanos Theodorakos, 11, was chosen by Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, to join a delegation of his peers and celebrity advocates at Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress in July.

The group met with members of Congress and other key decision-makers to inform them of the critical role they play in supporting the T1D community. They attended a Senate hearing featuring personal testimonies that highlight the challenges of living with T1D and the need for continued federal funding.

“Every day these youth and their parents face the burden of type 1 diabetes, and by sharing their stories they become powerful advocates in the fight to end this disease,” said Lauren Shields, executive director of Breakthrough T1D Greater New England. “Children’s Congress empowers youth living with type 1 diabetes to speak with a unified voice to urge federal leaders to support the entire T1D community.”

Stefanos creates inspirational videos, sharing his journey of staying strong while living with both T1D and celiac disease, and promoting healthy eating habits.