One champion is Sen. Orrin Hatch. Hatch played a critical role in ensuring that last year's Medicare bill included a one-year extension of the Special Diabetes Program. This program provides essential, focused, long-term funding that has led to the development of new technologies and therapies that help people with diabetes today as we work toward a cure.

I have been living with diabetes for more than 24 years, and my 15-year-old son was diagnosed when he was only 16 months old. Although technology is improving, it's not a cure, and a cure is what we desperately need.

For myself, my son and for the thousands in Utah with this disease, I am grateful that Sen. Hatch and other members of the Senate Finance Committee will this year secure a multi-year renewal of the Special Diabetes Program so that we can get a cure as soon as possible.

Jennifer Lindley

South Jordan