About Juvenile Research Diabetes Foundation
Founded by parents of children with juvenile diabetes, JDRF has always focused on a single goal—accelerating research progress to cure diabetes and its complications. The research management process is unique and organized as a diabetes cure enterprise. JDRF takes informed risks, continuously monitors the global diabetes research landscape and makes investments strategically to ensure that resources are effectively directed to research with the greatest impact leading to a cure as soon as possible.
This dedication has led to spending more money for diabetes research than any other charitable organization—more than $800 million since its founding in 1970, including more than $85 million in FY 2004 alone. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. In FY 2004, JDRF funded 500 centers, grants and fellowships in 19 countries. In addition, the advocacy has spurred the government to increase its investment in type 1 diabetes research to unprecedented levels.
Through unique programs, JDRF funds the most innovative, cutting-edge research worldwide. The funding and leadership are associated with most of the scientific breakthroughs in type 1 research, including islet cell transplantation and stem cell research. JDRF pioneered the creation of multidisciplinary programs that bring together researchers from many institutions and disciplines such as molecular biology and genetics, immunology, transplantation, vascular biology and stem cells. In a typical year, they allocate more than 80 cents of every dollar directly to research and research-related education.
Embedded in JDRF's mission are its three cure goals:
- Restoring normal blood sugar levels
- Preventing and reversing complications
- Preventing type 1 diabetes
Within these goals are specific research pathways to a cure—treatments with the potential for having the greatest impact on all people with type 1 diabetes.
Increased investment in diabetes technology is producing results, as a number of devices and therapies are poised to become available to patients in the next few years. These include developments in glucose monitoring, insulin delivery, an artificial pancreas and drugs to treat diabetes complications.
In the next five years, some $2.5 billion will be spent on type 1 research around the world, including projected JDRF funds of $500 million, industry investment, and a $750 million supplement for the U.S. National Institutes of Health, passed as a result of JDRF advocacy.
JDRF plays a unique role in setting the global direction of research resources to ensure that they are used as effectively as possible to bring about a world without juvenile diabetes and its complications.
