Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

JDRF’s mission is to find a cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

JDRF Australia represents 140,000 people with type 1 diabetes, thousands of passionate members and supporters, hundreds of dedicated volunteers and one single focus – a cure.

Type 1 diabetes is a serious lifelong condition that often starts in childhood. It is caused by the destruction of the insulin producing cells in the pancreas by the body’s own immune system. It attacks without warning and is not caused by day-to-day lifestyle, diet or eating ‘junk food’.

People with type 1 diabetes need multiple injections of insulin every day to stay alive. This happens seven days a week, 365 days of the year. There are no sleep-ins, no holidays and no time off. While insulin keeps people alive it is not a cure. For many people with type 1 diabetes, control of blood sugar levels can be difficult. Poor control of diabetes means a greater risk of long-term, life threatening complications.

Medical research is the only hope for finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.

What is JDRF?

    * JDRF is the world’s leading non-profit, non-government contributor to diabetes research.

    * JDRF’s mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of medical research.

    * JDRF structures its research on a business-world model to ensure that resources are spent most effectively to accelerate progress toward finding a cure.

    * JDRF is the only major diabetes organisation focused exclusively on research.

Only Research will find a Cure

    * Insulin is not a cure for diabetes nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating effects: kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputation, heart attack, and stroke.

    * Researchers are closing in on finding a cure for juvenile diabetes, and progress here could help scientists find a cure for other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

    * Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than US$1 billion to diabetes research around the world, including more than US$122 million in FY2006. In FY2006, JDRF funded 500 centres, grants, and fellowships in 20 countries.

    * JDRF Australia is currently funding 47 research projects around the country, an investment of over $68 million.

Dedicated and Active Volunteers are the backbone of JDRF

    * JDRF Australia was founded by the parents of children with type 1 diabetes.

    * Volunteers help define research priorities, select research grant recipients, lead advocacy efforts, and provide guidance to overall operations.

    * Most importantly, JDRF volunteers help raise funds through our Walk to Cure Diabetes, Ride to Cure Diabetes, Jelly Baby campaign and other community activities.

For more information visit www.jdrf.org.au