JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

A JDRF-funded clinical trial by researchers in America and China has used stem cells from umbilical cord blood to ‘re-educate’ the immune cells that cause type 1 diabetes.

By targeting the autoimmune response that attacks beta cells in type 1 diabetes, researchers aimed to improve beta cell function in people with the disease and enable them to resume insulin production.

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If you’ve been following us on Facebook and Twitter, you will have seen our promotion of the Brisbane Heat cricket games in the T20 Big Bash League.

JDRF is the official charity partner of the Brisbane Heat throughout the duration of the league. This partnership has been instrumental in allowing JDRF to promote our new logo and the importance of type 1 diabetes research to a wider audience.

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Did you know about the changes to Australian Government private health insurance legislation?

As of the end of 2011, insulin pumps have been moved to the new Section C of the Australian Government Prostheses List, guaranteeing its permanent place on the list. Section C is designed to include non-surgically implanted devices like insulin pumps that have an internal part which is essential to its effectiveness.

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JDRF-funded Australian researchers have identified a simple cellular compound that may be able to prevent onset of type 1 diabetes by preventing or reducing the death of insulin-producing cells.

Researchers from the Australian National University have identified heparan sulfate (HS) as being essential for beta cell survival. Whilst this compound is known to be involved in a number of other biological activities, this is the first time it has been implicated in the development of type 1 diabetes.

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Bambi Northwood-Blyth is flying the flag for Australians with type 1 diabetes making it big on the world stage. Bambi has recently modelled for large Europe fashion houses like Balenciaga and Chanel, and has been the cover girl for magazines like Harper’s Bazaar.

Bambi has received support from JDRF since her diagnosis with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12. Today, she shares some of her experiences with the JDRF community! Read more...

Something has changed at JDRF!

We’re still dedicated to improving the lives of the 122,300 Australians with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and our mission remains unchanged – to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of research. We continue to increase support for research to improve management and control of T1D and delivering new and better treatments and prevention of the common complications of T1D.

This essential work of JDRF is now supported by a new logo, which will be adopted by JDRF chapters across the world. This new logo better demonstrates our energetic dedication to a better life for people with T1D and, ultimately a cure. Read more...

With one month to go until the 2012 Apia Sydney International, one winner is already clear. For the fifth year running, JDRF is the charity of choice for the Sydney Tennis International.

The tournament will feature Australian Grand Slam champions Samantha Stosur and Lleyton Hewitt. The rest outstanding lineup includes eight Grand Slamp champions, four current or former World No.1’s, and four previous Sydney winners – it is bound to be a star-studded event!

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JDRF-funded American researchers have created the first three dimensional cellular videos showing what happens to cells in the pancreas as type 1 diabetes develops. The videos show T cells (purple) attacking and destroying beta cells (green) – eventually leading to type 1 diabetes.

Some of the interesting insights gained include:

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Julie Burong’s son Luke was diagnosed on Boxing Day 2005 – his mature approach and acceptance of finger pricks, carb counting and insulin injections as a way of life has inspired Julie to raise funds and awareness of type 1 diabetes.

Julie set herself the goal of running the London Marathon before the age of 50, and to raise a total of $2800 to be split between JDRF UK and JDRF Australia – mission accomplished! Training for such a big marathon went for six months from October to March, and meant that Julie had 4am training starts in summer to beat the summer heat.

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Research for a healthier happier life and one day, a cure.

The JDRF community has helped us to support more than 60 Australian research projects in 2011. These projects have one important thing in common – they are all helping move us closer to a better life and a cure for people with type 1 diabetes.

All this, and more, could not happen without the support of you, and the rest of the JDRF community. You can help us achieve more essential type 1 diabetes research.

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