Senator Collins Meets with Maine Representatives of JDRF

Click HERE, HERE, and HERE for high-resolution photos of Senator Collins and Aidan Sweeney in 2006, 2014, and 2018

Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for b-roll of Senator Collins meeting with Caroline and Aidan Sweeney this week

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins recently met with Caroline Sweeney, Maine JDRF Advocacy Team Chair, and her 15-year-old son Aidan Sweeney, who has been living with Type 1 diabetes for nearly his whole life, in her Washington, D.C., office.  Senator Collins is the founder and co-chair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus.

“It is always a pleasure meeting with Caroline and Aidan, and I was especially delighted to hear that Aidan’s artificial pancreas device is helping him control his blood sugar levels and giving both him and his family peace of mind.” said Senator Collins.  “As the founder and co-chair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, I will continue to advocate for those with diabetes and work with my colleagues to provide funding for diabetes research, treatment, and prevention programs.”

In 2006, at age four, Aidan testified before the JDRF Children’s Congress, chaired by Senator Collins, on the promise of the artificial pancreas.  Senator Collins played a key role in ensuring that the FDA made artificial pancreas technologies a priority.  Aidan started using an artificial pancreas device last month. 

Caroline and Aidan Sweeney thanked Senator Collins for being a champion of diabetes prevention and advocating for individuals with diabetes.  Since founding the Senate Diabetes Caucus in 1997, Senator Collins has successfully worked to increase the funding for diabetes research from $319 million to nearly $2 billion in 2017.  In addition, following Senator Collins’ advocacy, the government funding bill that was signed into law last month included a full two-year reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program.