Hey McKinley!!
Last week in Michigan we started putting our teams together for this years JDRF walk! If you are not familiar with JDRF it stands for “Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation”. JDRF is the only global organization with a strategic research plan to fight Type 1 Diabetes at all ages and all stages of the disease. Driven by dedicated volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with T1D, JDRF is the largest nongovernmental supporter of T1D research.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. People with T1D aren’t able to produce enough insulin (the hormone that is needed to convert sugars, starches and other food into energy) so they become insulin dependent. Can you imagine what your life would be like if you had to check your blood sugar several times a day, wear an insulin pump or take an insulin shot and then eat healthy and exercise because your body depends on these things to function properly. Now, can you imagine being a child and having to go through that daily routine? Everything you ate and did would have to be carefully calculated. But like anything in life, we all learn to deal and adapt to our situations. JDRF is doing their best to find a cure for T1D and subsequently they are finding ways to make life easier for those with T1D.
Some of the money JDRF has raised is being used to conduct research to create an artificial pancreas. Take 4min to watch the video below of Tom Brobson who had the opportunity to try the artificial pancreas for 3 days and 2 nights. It’s amazing what they have been able to create!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNYI3ofxbJ8
The money that is raised helps JDRF do the following:
1. Award research grants to the scientific community to encourage study in fields that will support T1D scientists
2. Fund clinical trials that will deliver a continuous stream of life-changing T1D therapies
3. Partner with industry, academia, government, and other organizations to coordinate the global T1D community’s efforts
4. Raise awareness of the incidence of T1D and the millions of people affected by the disease
5. Drive advocacy efforts to contact lawmakers and urge action on crucial legislation
6. Work with regulators like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to develop responsible guidance on human trials and new therapies
If you are not in Michigan an would like to participate in a JDRF walk, you can click the link below to find a walk nearest you:
http://www2.jdrf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_homepage
If you are not able to participate in one of the walks but would like to donate to this great cause, you can click the link below and help support Team McKinley!!!!
http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/meredith-mckinley
Email me with any questions, THANKS 🙂
Yours in Health and Wellness,
Meredith