Only months after helping the Miami Heat win the 2013 NBA title this past June, NBA star Ray Allen is now putting the drive and energy he had on the court towards advocating the need to keep and increase funding for diabetes research on Capitol Hill.

The Special Diabetes Program, which has been funding type 1 research since 1997, is currently in danger of government funding cut backs. Allen's six-year-old son, Walker, is one of three million Americans living with type 1 diabetes who hope this funding can bring about a cure in their lifetime.

Since 2004, the U.S. government has dispersed $150 million towards type 1 and type 2 diabetes related efforts. However, to rework government budgets, Congress is now looking into transitioning funding from a 3-year grant to a single-year renewable program.

Let's speak up for type 1 diabetes research and keep the momentum going! Sign this petition to tell the chairs of the Special Committee on Aging and the Senate Budget Committee of the importance for multi-year funding to make headway in type 1 diabetes research.

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Type 1 diabetes is growing significantly, a 23% increase in young people since the previous decade, and has cost the U.S. about $245 billion per year. As the condition grows, it does not make sense to spend less money on preventative measures and slow down research efforts for a cure.

NBA Star Ray Allen has taken measures into his own hands and headed straight to Capitol Hill to lobby against congress' decision to cut diabetes funding. The U.S. Government plans to make a few budget cuts from the Special Diabetes Program, that helps fund type 1 diabetes research. Join Allen to advocate for diabetes funding!