Alabama Family Donates $1 Million to Support JDRF's Artificial Pancreas Project
Posted on: Wednesday, 14 June 2006, 15:00 CDT
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide, announced today that it has received a $1 million gift from Jim and Chris Pursell of Sylacauga, Alabama, which will go toward the organization's efforts in developing an artificial pancreas.
The development of an artificial pancreas has quickly become one of JDRF's top research priorities. The goal of the artificial pancreas project is one of JDRF's six cure therapeutic areas of research, to accelerate the development, regulatory approval, and clinical adoption of continuous glucose monitoring and artificial pancreas technology.
A closed-loop artificial pancreas will enable a person with diabetes to maintain normal glucose levels by continuously monitoring blood glucose levels and providing an exact dose of insulin to maintain tight control. The successful development of this technology will not only mark a significant advancement in the care of diabetes, but also increase the effectiveness of other cure therapeutics that JDRF funded researchers are pursuing
"The Pursell family is very pleased to announce its continued support for the important work of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the very encouraging research being conducted on the artificial pancreas project. We hope that this will bring us all one step closer to an easier life for the nearly 3 million people who are suffering from type 1 diabetes, including our own son and grandchildren," said Jim Pursell.
The Pursell's son, David, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 22. Three of his six children also now have the disease.
The Pursell family has been active supporters of JDRF for a number of years. They have hosted The Pursell Cup Charity Golf Challenge to benefit JDRF six times since the mid-1990's, and have traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak with legislators and government officials about the need for increased funding for diabetes research. They have hosted volunteer fundraising walks in their hometown of Sylacauga, AL, and have brought donations to numerous JDRF Gala auctions. David is a former JDRF chapter board member, and Ellen currently serves on the board.
The Pursells made their generous donation in honor of David and his wife Ellen and their grandchildren. When making the commitment, Jim and Chris expressed their hopes that other parents and grandparents of individuals with type 1 diabetes would follow their lead.
"The Pursell's donation for research on the development of an artificial pancreas reflects not just their generosity, but the hope and excitement that technologies like continuous glucose monitors and an artificial pancreas offer people touched by diabetes," said Aaron Kowalski, PhD, JDRF's Scientific Program Manager for the artificial pancreas project. "Their support will allow us to expand our efforts to accelerate the development and availability of this emerging technology, and make real clinical differences in the lives of people with type 1 diabetes."
For more information about JDRF and the artificial pancreas project, please visit http://www.jdrf.org/ .
JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1 billion to diabetes research, including more than $98 million in FY2005. In FY2005, the Foundation funded 500 centers, grants and fellowships in 19 countries. Since the year 2000, JDRF has awarded over $5.5 million in research grants to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
CONTACT: Karin Scott, Executive Director, JDRF Alabama Chapter,+1-205-871-0333, kscott@jdrf.org
Web site: http://www.jdrf.org/
Source: PRNewswire
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