Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

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The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is a not-for-profit organization that raises money for research in hopes of finding a cure for diabetes.

The JDRF was founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Since its founding, the organization states that they have awarded over $900 million to diabetes research, including more than $98 million in FY2005. Also in FY2005, the Foundation is said to have funded 500 centers, grants and fellowships in 19 countries. More than 80 percent of the Foundation's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.

In December of 2005, Arnold W. Donald was named President and Chief Executive Officer of JDRF. He founded Merisant Company, whose products include sweeteners Equal and Canderel.

Contents 1 History 2 Fundraising 3 Research 4 Location 5 External links

History

The JDRF was founded in 1970, in North Miami, Florida, by six couples who had children with diabetes. Five of the founders, Shelley and Barbara Singer, Micki and Bob Kronowitt, and Nancy Marumsud laid the groundwork and vision for the organization. Originally the JDRF was all volunteer. These parents were concerned the severe complications of juvenile diabetes were not being discussed by the medical community and little money was being directed toward a cure. Micki Kronowitt was elected president during the first year. The first executive director was Bob Kronowitt (1970-77). In the early years the JDRF identified a small program at the University of Miami School of Medicine headed by Dr. Daniel Mintz. This program had promise for a cure.

Fundraising

JDRF's largest fundraising event is the nationally known Walk to Cure Diabetes. Events are held across the country to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes and raise money to be put towards research. They also host galas, Rides to Cure Diabetes for bicycle enthusiasts, and golf events, and the JDRF Halloween Carnival for children with diabetes. JDRF also accepts donations via mail or their website.

Research

Currently, the organization has six therapeutic research targets:

1. Perfecting islet transplantation — without chronic immunosuppression — to permanently restore normal blood sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes

2. Creating safe, stable, and widely available “universal donor” sources of insulin-secreting cells for transplantation — through stem cell research and research to develop safe, human-compatible islet cells from animal sources

3. Regenerating the body’s own beta cells without islet transplantation — and simultaneously inducing immune tolerance to restore normal blood sugar levels

4. Preventing type 1 diabetes by maintaining or restoring immune tolerance in new-onset patients

5. Creating novel approaches and therapeutics for predicting, preventing and reversing complications

6. Perfecting a closed-loop artificial pancreas

Location

The JDRF is headquartered in New York, at 120 Wall Street. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation. Its international spokesperson is Mary Tyler Moore.

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