Heroes

Many people are aware that for years we have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Diabetes Research and have asked us what organization we support and why. We have never publicly explained our choice before, but we do have a favorite organization and there is a very important reason we support this organization.

So, for the first time ever, we are explaining why we support the

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Years ago, before our family and the two of us decided who we would support, we researched the different diabetic organizations to see whose primary focus was to cure diabetes and then, who was best qualified to to accomplish this goal. After months of research only one organization met and even surpassed our stringent criteria, JDRFI, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, which was founded by parents of children with diabetes and one of the main reasons for their success is that JDRFI is a volunteer driven organization. This means the volunteers partner with JDRFI staff and together they keep the focus on our mission...to support research that will cure diabetes and its complications.

Our family began by reviewing the financial reports of the different organizations, we wanted to know how much money each group raised annually, how they spent their money, and in particular how much money was spent directly on finding the cure for diabetes. We were looking for a very lean, streamlined foundation, one that spent the majority of the money they raised on diabetes research and not on overhead. We looked to see which organization had the most effective government relations department. Did they have an organized, well trained, and motivated volunteer base, were they being effectively utilized, were they compelling, and could this grassroots movement successfully influence diabetes related legislation. We needed to know that Congress and the White House were being positively impacted by the joint effort of volunteers and JDRFI staff. In the end, the only organization that met and still meets our benchmark, is JDRFI, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International!

More than 85 percent of JDRFI's expenditures directly support research and research-related education. As a highly esteemed organization they are recognized for their effectiveness, efficiency and integrity. JDRF has received top rankings from the American Institute of Philanthropy and other independent sources that rate charitable giving! JDRFI is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide and their mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research; attaining this goal helps ALL diabetics, type 1 and type 2!

Since JDRFI's founding in 1970, they have awarded more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research, including more than $137 million in 2007. Furthermore, in 2007 JDRF funded 700 centers, grants and fellowships in 20 countries. In only thirty-seven years, JDRF has made a difference diabetics can believe in; JDRF will lead diabetics to the cure! For these reasons and more, we support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, their goal is our goal and together we will CURE DIABETES!

PLEASE join us and support JDRF, the JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION International!

Mary Tyler Moore has been and always will be our hero!! This is a woman who selflessly gives of herself to help millions of people suffering with diabetes. For years, she has silently endured the difficulties that come with having Juvenile Diabetes, and bravely wore her famous smile while speaking on behalf of others. Mary Tyler Moore knows first hand the challenges that all diabetics face, yet in typical Mary Tyler Moore fashion, she boldly forges ahead, convincing anyone and everyone who will listen to her concerns, of the need to increase funding for Diabetes Research. Mary Tyler Moore, is admired by millions of television fans, but to diabetics around the world she epitomizes hope and is our inspiration. Yes, Mary is our hero, she gives us the strength to follow in her footsteps, so like Mary, we too will never give up the fight to find the cure.

The Jonas Brothers

As most young diabetics will acknowledge, being open about having Juvenile Diabetes can lend itself to ridicule, embarrassment, and yes, even discrimination. If you ask any diabetic, it would probably be difficult to find one that hasn't experienced these problems. So, when a prominent young celebrity demonstrates the character and confidence to openly talk to his fans about being a Juvenile Diabetic, we applaud Nick, and his family for demonstrating the importance of the family unity to support a diabetic and for having the courage to be such wonderful role models; you may never know the difference you have made in so many lives...THANK YOU!