An Open Letter to President Trump Regarding One Big Beautiful Bill.

The Donahue Family: Three of these four daughters live with Type One Diabetes and are impacted by the SDP.

Dear President Trump,

My name is Joe Donahue. I am a father of four daughters, three of whom live with Type 1 Diabetes. I am also a pastor and lifelong conservative voter. I believe in strong leadership, bold solutions, and results that make life better for American families. That is why I am writing directly to you.

I am asking you to demand that full, multi-year funding for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) be included in the Big Beautiful Bill now under consideration in the Senate.

You have made it clear that you want America to win again, in health, innovation, and in leadership. You have called this bill big and beautiful. But there is one thing missing that must be added before this becomes law: the program that has made every major breakthrough in Type 1 Diabetes care possible for the past 25 years.

Why the SDP Matters

The Special Diabetes Program was created by Congress in 1997. It has been reauthorized over a dozen times with bipartisan support. It directs $150 million annually to the NIH for Type 1 Diabetes research and another $150 million to the Indian Health Service for high-risk populations.

Here’s what that research has delivered:

• FDA-approved continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and automated insulin delivery systems (AID)

• Groundbreaking immune therapies to delay or prevent the onset of Type 1

• Clinical trials for beta cell regeneration, islet transplantation, and prevention

In fact, the Dexcom G7 sensors and Omnipod Dash pumps that help keep my daughters alive and stable each day were made possible by research funded through the SDP!

What Happens Without Funding

Congress gave the SDP a six-month extension in March. It now runs out on September 30, 2025. If the Big Beautiful Bill does not include full funding for the SDP, the consequences are clear:

• Trials will pause

• Research teams will dissolve

• Promising breakthroughs will stall

• Families like mine will be left in limbo

Mr. President, the House passed the bill without the SDP. We need your leadership to make it right in the Senate. You are the one who can call for this addition and get it done.

What I Am Asking

Mr. President, please take personal action to:

• Publicly support full funding for the Special Diabetes Program

• Call on Senate leaders to add it to the Big Beautiful Bill

• Ensure a multi-year reauthorization to give families and researchers the certainty they need

This is a chance to show the country (and the world) that America does not back down from big health challengesor walk away from children who need life-saving care.

You have always said, "We will win so much, we’ll be tired of winning." This is a win you can deliver right now for millions of Americans.

I ask as a father. I ask as a citizen. I ask because I believe you can make this happen.

Sincerely,

Joe Donahue

SC Father of Three Daughters with Type One Diabetes

Lead Pastor

Beach Church, Myrtle Beach SC

READERS:

How You Can Help Right Now:

➡️ Tag @realDonaldTrump and ask him to include the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) in the Big Beautiful Bill

➡️ Tag your Senators and Representatives using #FundSDP

➡️ Tag the media to help share this story with the nation

➡️ Use the hashtags:#Type1Diabetes | #BigBeautifulBill | #FundSDP | #MakeAmericaHealthyAgain

Every tag, every post, and every share matters. Thank you!