Newberg Teen Advocates for Diabetes Research on Capitol Hill

NEWBERG, Ore. — Earlier this month, Newberg High School student Ellie Conrad traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress and advocate for continued research into Type 1 diabetes—a disease she has managed since age 9.

“I never thought I’d be here,” she said. “It’s not something I ever considered after being diagnosed seven years ago. It’s a little mind-blowing—to be surrounded by people who are making the change and funding the programs that may one day be a cure for me and millions of other diabetics.”

Conrad traveled to the capital as part of Breakthrough T1D’s 2025 Children’s Congress, a biennial event that invites youth ages 4 to 17 living with Type 1 diabetes to share their stories with federal lawmakers and advocate for research funding and affordable insulin. Conrad is one of three Oregon delegates who visited D.C. for the event.

While in D.C., Conrad met with U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and Molly McTaggart, legislative assistant to Rep. Andrea Salinas, as the representative was in Oregon at the time. She also connected with several celebrities living with the disease, including American Ninja Warrior women’s champion Katie Bone, professional soccer player Marlee Fray, and musician Ava August.

“It’s really empowering to see people like me who are successful adults living with Type 1 diabetes,” Conrad said.

Understanding T1D

Type 1 diabetes, or T1D, is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that helps blood sugar enter cells to be used for energy. Without insulin, blood sugar builds up in the bloodstream, causing high blood glucose levels that can lead to extreme thirst, increased appetite, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, drowsiness, dry mouth, vision changes, and labored breathing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Now 16, Conrad said her doctors likely saved her life when she was diagnosed. With no family history of the disease, her symptoms—rapid weight loss, fatigue, and excessive thirst—were initially mistaken for a stomach flu.

“We went to the pediatrician to see what was happening, and the pediatrician called right away, saying I needed to go to a hospital,” she said. “They told us later that night that I may not have woken up the next morning.”

At the time of her diagnosis, Conrad was already in diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition that occurs when blood sugar is too high and the body begins to shut down.

“We had no idea about the symptoms, and it almost cost me my life,” she said. “That’s what’s so important about the advocacy we do. It’s important that people know what the symptoms of diabetes look like and know what to do when they spot them.”

Advocating for Change

Conrad began advocating for awareness shortly after her diagnosis. Her family formed a walk team for the organization now known as Breakthrough T1D, raising money for research and public education. Today, she serves as a youth ambassador, participates in clinical trials, and continues to share her story.

One of her key goals is helping people understand the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. She pointed to Mattel’s recent release of a T1D Barbie—featuring a continuous glucose monitor, insulin pump, blue polka-dot outfit (a nod to global diabetes advocacy), and a purse for medical supplies—as a positive step. 

Still, she noticed some online confusion and criticism from those conflating Type 1, an autoimmune condition, with Type 2, which is often linked to excess body fat.

“At 9 years old, I was facing a lot of judgment because people thought I wasn’t well taken care of or I ate too much sugar,” she said. “Which wasn’t true. This disease isn’t easy. This is every day of my life. I didn’t ask for this, and I didn’t cause it. It just happened to me, and I’m doing what I can to live with it.”

Life With T1D

Conrad described managing T1D as a daily, nonstop challenge.

“It’s like a roller coaster with highs and lows,” she said. “Daily care means making 180 different decisions throughout the day—things most people don’t even think about. From the food I eat to the exercise I do, and balancing that. It’s a daily battle: Did I take too much insulin? Do I need to correct it? Do I need a snack? Do I have my pump supplies?”

As an athlete who plays basketball and soccer and enjoys weightlifting, Conrad said managing her blood sugar becomes even more complicated.

“I have to make sure to disclose my condition to my coach before workouts, letting them know how I’m feeling on any given day,” she said. “Sometimes, I may just need to sit out.”

The support she’s found through Breakthrough T1D and her trip to Congress has been life-changing.

“For the longest time I hadn’t met anyone else like me,” she said. “There was nobody else at school who had it. I remember telling my mom that I just wanted to meet someone who also had T1D, and now [with Breakthrough T1D] I feel like I have that support.”

That sense of connection—and the progress being made through advocacy and research—gives her hope for the future.

“I hope that sometime in my lifetime, I can say that I had diabetes instead of I have Type 1 diabetes, and experience a life without it,” Conrad said. “That’s the goal.”