I’m a type 1 diabetic and I support JDRF.  I think it’s a fantastic organization and I’ve recently been talking to my husband, also type 1 diabetic who is training for the Rotterdam marathon, about whether we could use his marathon as an opportunity to raise funds for JDRF – the organization whose mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.   This morning, however, I thought I was reading The Onion as I read the article Donuts for Diabetes and saw this picture of the cute...

Diabetes UK reported today that scientists in Cambridge have shown that an ‘artificial pancreas’ can be used to regulate blood glucose in children with type 1 diabetes. A JDRF funded study found that combining a real-time sensor measuring glucose levels with a pump that delivers insulin can boost overnight blood glucose control.The new device is based on a standard insulin pump and a standard glucose monitoring system which have been turned into a “closed loop” system using a sophisticated algorithm.  The...

JDRF announced that research financed by JDRF may hold a key component for a possible type 1 diabetes cure. The researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California found that a hormone responsible for the body’s stress response is also linked to the growth of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The researchers found that the stress hormone can increase the rate at which insulin-producing cells in the pancreas expand in animal models. These findings reinforce the potential of regeneration as a cure for...

On January 13th, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation announced a non-exclusive partnership with Animas Corporation to develop an automated, partially closed-loop system to help control blood sugars — the first step toward a fully automated “artificial pancreas.” For anyone with Type 1 diabetes this was, of course, promising news — offering a tantalizing glimpse toward a future where a machine might actually be able to take care of diabetes for you. As part of the partnership, JDRF will contribute $8 million...

Today’s a big day for anyone with Type 1 diabetes: JDRF just announced a partnership with the Animas Corporation to develop what they’re calling a “First-Generation Automated System for Managing Type 1 Diabetes.” Translation? They’re trying to make the first-ever artificial pancreas. Very, very exciting. To quote from the JDRF press release: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation today announced an innovative partnership with Animas Corporation to develop an automated system to help people with type...

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation announced it had teamed up Animas Corporation to develop an automated system to help people with type 1 diabetes better control their disease – the first step on the path to what would be among the most revolutionary advancements in treating type 1 diabetes: the development of an artificial pancreas, a fully automated system to dispense insulin to patients based on real-time changes in blood sugar levels. Animas, a Johnson & Johnson company, is a leading manufacturer and distributor...

I heard on the news this morning that today is the birthday of Mary Tyler Moore, who’s long been the biggest celebrity advocate for people with Type 1 diabetes — which she herself has. It got me thinking about what a difference it can make to have someone famous advocate on your behalf (or, for that matter, come down with your disease). This is  ridiculous in one way (shouldn’t I care about clean water in Africa without having Matt Damon involved?).  But, on the other hand, it makes perfect sense: we care more...

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation announced today in a press release that it will begin working with The Johnson & Johnson Corporate Office of Science and Technology, and its affiliates, to speed the development of drug targets and pathways to promote the survival and function of insulin-producing cells in people who have diabetes.  The program will look to fund research at academic centers around the world that could eventually lead to novel drug targets and industry collaborations for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The...

Okay, not literally. But if you’re looking for a creative way to show your support, consider making a donation to Zip the Cure, an effort organized by a 15-year-old young woman with Type 1 named Monica Oxenreiter. Monica lives in Pittsburgh and has had Type 1 since she was 13 months old. Her brother, John, was diagnosed when he was eight. Monica got in touch with me a few weeks ago to tell me about her project, which aims to raise a $100 donation for JDRF in every zip code in the country. Here’s what Monica told me: I...

According to a JDRF press release great progress has been made towards finding a treatment for diabetes-related eye disease. Novartis Pharmaceuticals, based in Switzerland, announced that the drug Lucentis has been submitted to the European Union’s regulatory agency, European Medicines Agency, for approval for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. The submission is based on strong, positive results from Phase II clinical trials, including ones funded by JDRF. Macular Edema is a major complication of diabetes that often leads...