Meet Stacie Oshima: Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress Chair
For Stacie Oshima, the journey with type 1 diabetes (T1D) began on a day that should have been filled with fun, not fear. Her son Evan, then just six years old, had been exhibiting the telltale signs of T1D when she decided to take him to the doctor. Little did she know that decision would forever change their lives.
“It was the day before Valentine’s Day, and we had this family ski trip planned,” Stacie recalled. “We were so excited, and I thought Evan was just a little sick. But when we went to the doctor, the results weren’t what I expected. The doctor asked me to step outside the room, and that’s when he told me Evan had T1D.”
“I burst into tears, not fully understanding how life-threatening this diagnosis was, but knowing full well that life for Evan and our family would never be the same.” The doctor told Stacie that Evan would need to get to the hospital immediately. “I didn’t know how to tell them that instead of going skiing, we were heading to the hospital,” Stacie recalled. “I just said, ‘We’re going to take a little trip to the hospital instead,’ and hoped they would understand. I didn’t want them to be sad or scared, but I had never felt more scared in my life.”
Since that day, Stacie, her husband Mark, and their entire family have worked tirelessly to navigate the challenges of life with T1D. Evan, now 17, is thriving, and his family is committed to raising awareness and providing support for others in the T1D community.
Enter Breakthrough T1D
About a week after this life-changing diagnosis, the Oshimas received something in the mail: A Breakthrough T1D Bag of Hope. “Evan opened it, and we all immediately felt like there were people out there who were here for us. When our world was crumbling, it gave us comfort and assurance. That was the start of our involvement with Breakthrough T1D.”
Since that moment, the Oshimas have done just about everything a family can do. They’ve had a Walk team for the last 10 years, attended Galas, and have been deeply involved in Breakthrough T1D Advocacy. This led to Evan’s time as a Delegate at the Breakthrough T1D 2017 Children’s Congress.
“It was an incredible and empowering experience,” Stacie said. “Evan and I loved having the opportunity to represent both his congressional district and the T1D community in front of the people who have a tremendous amount of power to impact the future of this disease. He remembers how special it was to share his journey with T1D and see the impact he could have, even as a 9-year-old. Children’s Congress was one of the most meaningful experiences we’ve ever had.”
High stakes in 2025
Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress couldn’t be happening at a better time. There’s so much at stake—from the Special Diabetes Program to affordable insulin to legislation around Screening. Founded in 1999, this event is one of the key drivers that advances Breakthrough T1D’s Advocacy agenda. And these advocates are the best possible messengers to deliver that message.
Stacie’s message to this year’s Delegates: “I am humbled to be joining such an amazing group of Children’s Congress Delegates. You have already proven to be resilient beyond your years, thriving and advocating for yourselves and the T1D community. Children’s Congress 2025 will give you an opportunity to continue using your voice to support a future with better treatments and cures for T1D.”
Through it all, Stacie has embraced the role of advocate. She can’t wait to head to Capitol Hill with all of the Delegates this summer. She’s found hope and strength in their T1D journey, and she’s looking forward to ensuring each Delegate finds hope and strength through their experiences at Children’s Congress, too.