55,000 Ask for a Major Increase in Type 1 Diabetes Research Spending

NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 55,000 individuals have come together to sign the 2^nd Annual More for a Cure Petition which was launched by the Juvenile Diabetes Cure Alliance, and ran for 11 weeks, having just closed on November 18, 2016. The Petition called on the largest diabetes fundraising organizations to substantially increase funding for type 1 diabetes research, which dropped to a record low in 2015.

Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed during childhood and affects an estimated two million people in the United States. A person with the disease needs multiple injections of insulin throughout the day and must constantly monitor their blood sugar levels. Long term consequences of type 1 diabetes are often dire and include eye, heart, nerve, and kidney failure.

The two largest fundraising organizations for diabetes are the ADA and JDRF. Both organizations have been operating for decades and have built, over time, large organization and fundraising structures. Despite donor insistence for an increase in research funding, only 37% of JDRF's income in 2015, down from 64% in 2008, was spent on research funding. Additionally, only 3% of the ADA's 2015 income was used to fund type 1 research despite the majority of fundraising events hosted by both organizations promising to use the proceeds for research.

The 2^nd Annual More for a Cure Petition acquired twice as many signatures as the inaugural More for a Cure Petition, which took place in Fall 2015.  "The fact that the number of signatures far exceeded our expectations is reflective of the fact that the T1D community is dissatisfied with the amount of research being conducted and the speed at which a cure is progressing; they're ready for a change," says Phil Shaw, the JDCA's General Manager.   

The long-standing type 1 diabetes charities face the same pressures for change as many other established institutions. Today's speed and transparency of information means that there is much greater visibility on how charities use the money they raise.  If the T1D charities do not stay focused on delivering the priorities of their donors, they may eventually jeopardize their ability to fundraise. For type 1 diabetes charities, this means staying focused on investing in research, as supported by all those who signed the petition.

"I've been hearing about a cure for so long and it still hasn't happened," said one Petition signer. "It's time for more research, and to finally find the cure that I've been hearing about most of my life."

About the JDCA
The JDCA is a privately funded T1D-focused nonprofit that aims to empower donors and prompt transparency in the major diabetes charities. 

Become an Alliance member: http://thejdca.org/join-the-alliance/
Become a fan on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thejdca

If you'd like more information about the petition or to schedule an interview with the JDCA General Manager Phil Shaw, please call 212-308-7433 or email bg@thejdca.org.

Contact: Brittany Greco
Telephone: 212-308-7433
Email: bg@thejdca.org

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SOURCE The JDCA