(New York, NY, Tuesday, October 30, 2018) – National Diabetes Awareness Month takes place in November. More than 1.25 million Americans currently live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and require injected or pumped insulin to survive.

JDRF leads the global scientific charge against T1D, and for nearly half a century has channeled billions into research while unlocking even more funding from government and private resources.

There is more money being spent to cure T1D today than at any other time in history. The organization currently has more than 500 active research grants and 70 clinical trials underway to alleviate the daily burden for people living with this disease and find a cure.

JDRF is working to change the reality of this disease for people with T1D and prevent others from ever knowing it.

This year alone saw critical policy victories and FDA approval of four new therapies. Dr. Kowalski can elaborate on the latest developments in diabetes research, and explain what that means for people with T1D. He also has T1D, so he knows first-hand how research breakthroughs can dramatically alter the lives of people with T1D. Dr. Kowalski can also provide updates on research currently underway and address what’s on the horizon.

About T1D: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and — at present — nothing you can do to get rid of it.

ABOUT JDRF: JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Its mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.2 billion in research funding since its inception.