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HEALTHY MAGAZINE
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JDRF & University of Utah
Unite for a Cure
T
he JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and the University of Utah have joined forces to fight against the rising number of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Utah. Today, between 6,750 and 13,500 people* in the Beehive State have T1D, an autoimmune and chronic disease in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone required for life. The University of Utah Health Sciences Center has aligned with the JDRF to conduct important cutting edge research to further JDRF’s mission to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives and to achieve a world without T1D. JDRF is currently the leading global organization funding T1D research. “JDRF is pleased to join with Utah’s preeminent medical research and clinical institution to raise awareness, provide treatment for those suffering from diabetes, and ultimately find a cure,” said Carol Hatch, JDRF Utah chapter board president. “The state of Utah, like our nation as a whole, faces a serious diabetes health emergency and it is our goal to do everything we can to empower our community to fight this devastating disease.” The University of Utah has been a leader in diabetes care and research for many years, both in-state and nationwide. The new partnership will seek to raise funds for diabetes research at the University of Utah, raise awareness about T1D, and provide essential care for those affected by this disease. Additionally, the partnership
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will encourage University researchers to apply for JDRF grants, and expand University clinical trials and clinical services to the thousands of Utahns affected by diabetes. “JDRF is a critical advocate for T1D research and for improving care for complications of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Dean Li, associate vice president for research and chief scientific officer for health sciences. “JDRF funding enabled my research group to develop a new molecular therapy to treat vascular complications of diabetes. The leverage of JDRF research grants is transformative, and I will encourage our diabetes investigators to fully engage in this new partnership.” Dr. Li is part of a diabetes-focused, interdisciplinary team of physicians and scientists who champion research within the University’s health system that will lead to new treatments and innovations for patients, concentrating on diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Research currently being conducted at the University includes: • • • • • •
Novel treatments for diabetic retinopathy Iron metabolism and diabetes Fruit flies as a model system for studying diabetes Novel biomarkers to predict T1D risk Cell to cell signaling in the pancreas New models to treat peripheral neuropathy
More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. To learn about diabetes-focused clinical research opportunities at the University as they arise, please send an email with your name and email address to: amy.davis@utah.edu. Or, to make a gift to diabetes research, please contact Wendi Tanner at wtanner@jdrf.org. *Utah Department of Health
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aimee Greenholtz JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 801-530-0660 jdrf.org
Aimee is a content editor for healthfuldiabetes.com, affordablediabetes.com and dollardiabetesclub.com. Having this disease for more than 20 years and being a pastry chef, Ms. Greenholtz knows the importance of living healthfully and enjoying life. She can be reached at agreenholtz@keyvive.com.
As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, JDRF is currently sponsoring $530 million in scientific research in 17 countries.
HEALTHY UTAH APRIL 2014
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