A spirited four-year-old from El Dorado Hills is preparing to take a big step for Type 1 diabetes awareness—straight to Capitol Hill.
Landon Capozzoli has been selected to represent California at the 2025 Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress, a major advocacy event taking place in Washington D.C. this summer from July 7–9. He’ll be one of 170 youth delegates from across the U.S. uniting to urge lawmakers to support continued research funding for Type 1 diabetes (T1D), a chronic autoimmune disease that Landon was diagnosed with at just two years old.
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Landon’s mother, Kennedy Capozzoli, says her son hasn’t let the daily challenges of managing T1D slow him down. From constant blood sugar checks and carb counting to insulin injections, he tackles it all with courage and joy.
“Landon is a big-hearted, fun-loving kid who lights up every room he enters,” said Kennedy. “He gives the best hugs, loves to make people laugh, and has a smile as contagious as his giggle.”
What Is Children’s Congress?
The Children’s Congress, hosted by Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), brings together young advocates ages 4 to 17 to share their experiences living with T1D and to make a powerful case for why continued federal funding and scientific research are critical. Delegates will attend a Senate hearing, share personal stories, and meet with members of Congress to advocate for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) and advancements in cell therapies.
The event will also feature five international delegates from Australia, Canada, Israel, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—highlighting that T1D is not just a national issue but a global one.
A Legacy of Advocacy
The idea for Children’s Congress was born in 1999 when a nine-year-old Massachusetts boy named Thom Solo asked his mother why kids couldn’t go to Washington to talk about diabetes. Since then, over 1,000 children have participated, and the event has played a key role in securing federal funding and increasing public awareness.
Why Research Matters
T1D affects nearly 9 million people globally. It’s caused when the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to dangerous blood sugar imbalances and a lifetime dependence on insulin therapy. The condition can result in serious complications, including kidney failure, vision loss, nerve damage, heart disease, and more.
Despite common misconceptions, T1D isn’t caused by diet or lifestyle. It can strike at any age—nearly half of all new diagnoses occur in adults—and its exact cause remains unclear, though genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role. As of now, there is no cure.
Through his trip to Washington, Landon will help lawmakers understand that behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a daily fight—and that with continued investment, a cure is within reach.
