Nearly 1,000 children in Nevada have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, caused when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Children with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin shots daily in order to stay alive. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1970 by parents of children with diabetes who were convinced that through research, diabetes could be cured.
The Nevada Chapter of JDRF, also formed in 1970, continues to raise money to research a cure. In addition, JDRF Nevada provides children and their families with the “Bag of Hope”, a bag full of educational materials underwritten by several foundations in Nevada, to help recipients learn more about the disease. Rufus, a Teddy bear with diabetes, is also part of the “Bag of Hope”. He even has a place where children can inject him with insulin.
“The greatest thing about this organization is that for every dollar raised, 87 cents goes to fund research,” said Dean Collins, executive director of the Nevada chapter of JDRF. “The goal is to find a cure as soon as possible. The best way to do that is to put as much money as we can into research.”
JDRF Nevada hosts several fundraising events throughout the year, with the most well known being the Walk to Cure Diabetes. This year, the walk has been named the Thomas & Mack Company 2003 Walk To Cure Diabetes, due to the tremendous support the company has given to the Las Vegas chapter. On Saturday, October 11, the fundraiser will take place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This year, the goal is to raise $500,000 during the Walk in Las Vegas and $250,000 at the Walk that takes place in Reno on Sunday, October 12. The Walk is intended for teams – both families and companies.
Karla Perez, CEO of Spring Valley Hospital, serves as the 2003 corporate recruitment chair, responsible for recruiting teams from various companies and organizations. According to Collins, “The idea is to have family teams and company teams participate in the Walk to help raise more money. Karla Perez will be a great asset in helping us put together these teams and get everyone excited about participating,”
In addition to the annual Walk to Cure Diabetes, the chapter hosts a gala each spring, a golf tournament in the fall and the Ride to Cure, which takes place in California.
Collins added that the support of the community and the caliber of people who make up the board of directors are what allow JDRF Nevada to remain successful. “Paul Stowell, senior vice president of Business Bank of Nevada, has served as the board president of the Nevada chapter for the past six years. His support is what drives this organization to be successful,” said Collins.
Another significant part of JDRF is the organization’s Children’s Congress. This year, nearly 200 diabetic children from ages 2 to 17, representing all 50 states, were selected as delegates for the JDRF Children’s Congress 2003, which was held in Washington D.C. The goal of Children’s Congress is to raise awareness about juvenile diabetes and increase congressional support to help find a cure. Both Northern and Southern Nevada had representation from two brave young children who served as delegates.
The children asked Congress to support the Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation Act of 2003. In this procedure, islet cells, which produce insulin in healthy non-diabetics but are damaged by Type 1 diabetes, are surgically transplanted into diabetic patients in an attempt to eliminate the need for insulin injections. This is just one procedure that is being tested through research funded by JDRF.
To learn more about the Nevada Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or how to become a team or family sponsor for the Walk to Cure Diabetes, contact the Las Vegas office at (702) 732-4795 and or the Reno office at (775) 786-1881.
