The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and acts as the fundraising branch of the Diabetes Research Institute. The Diabetes Research Institute is the only U.S. national research organization solely dedicated to cure-based type 1 diabetes research. The Diabetes Research Foundation was founded in 1971 by a group of parents of children with diabetes in order to fund research being conducted at the University of Miami. The DRIF is headquartered in Florida with offices in New York, Long Island, and Washington D.C.
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation – Funding Sources
The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation has a twenty-year ongoing relationship with America’s Union Movement’s (ALF-CIO) Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD). The BCTD has continued to fund and build the Diabetes Research Institute Facility, raising millions of dollars through direct contribution and the Project Type Zero campaign for individual fundraising by union members. Individual donors, corporations, sponsorships, special events, planned giving (wills, trusts, and deferred giving plans), and marketing relationships all contribute to the formation of DRIF funds. If you are interested in contributing to the DRIF as an individual or corporate donor you can visit their secure webpage (https://www.diabetesresearch.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=893) for more details. For more general information on the foundation and how you can become involved visit the DRI website (http://www.diabetesresearch.org/).
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation – New Research & Activities
The DRI takes a “fast-track” approach to diabetes research, rapidly testing new ideas and accelerating those that show promise. The DRI facilities are also able to hose all phases of research including clinical trials and foster international scientific collaboration. Research highlights include the pioneering of pancreatic islet transplantation, allowing the pancreas to produce insulin. While trials patients need to resume insulin therapy after one year, the pancreas continues to produce small amounts of insulin. Immunosuppressive therapy is required for the transplants to be successful. DRI scientists are investigating different methods to reduce the need for these drugs by teaching the body to accept the new cells as their own. While still an experimental procedure, islet cell transplantation shows significant promise for long-term insulin production. Cell regeneration and function are other approaches to curing type diabetes currently being researched. The use of stem cells in the creation of islet cells and the reprogramming of adult cells to become insulin-producing cells are two leads. Cell regeneration and optimizing cell function are other possible cures, teaching the body to “regrow” damaged beta cells and repair function of those that are damaged. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial being held by the DRI visit their webpage for more information (http://www.diabetesresearch.org/page.aspx?pid=745).
