DRIfocus Newsletter Fall 2011

Page 1

DRIfocus

Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

Fall 2011 / Volume 39 / Issue 1 Miami / New York / Long Island / California / Washington, D.C.

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MAJOR NIH GRANT TO ADVANCE DRI’S TRANSPLANT IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH

DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOUNDATION’S SOLE FOCUS ON A CURE AT HEART OF “REASON TO BELIEVE” On November 1st, the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation launched its “Reason to Believe” campaign, giving those with diabetes and their families continued hope for a cure. Kicking off National Diabetes Awareness Month, Reason to Believe, or r2b, emphasizes our singular focus on curing diabetes and unique research philosophy while raising critical funds for the DRI. The Reason to Believe story is told through a series of videos that can be viewed at Reason2Believe.org. Parents like Jenn and Jared Tacher of Pembroke Pines, FL, whose 3-year-old son, Jace, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just over a year ago, believe that one day he will be free from the burdens of this disease. “I just look into my son’s eyes and I see a story of hope, and the DRI has been a provider of that because I see the research that they do,” says Jenn. “I definitely, definitely have a reason to believe. There is hope; there’s definitely so much work being done to help those who suffer.” The discovery of a biological cure – restoring natural insulin production to normalize blood sugar levels – would free patients from the daily demands of this disease. The DRI and Continued on Page 6

Building upon their preliminary work with mesenchymal stem cells, the DRI’s Dr. Norma Kenyon and Dr. Amelia Bartholomew from the University of Illinois/Chicago have been awarded a major, multi-center grant from the National Institutes of Health to advance their work with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to improve transplant acceptance. The five-year grant will focus on the effects of MSCs in the settings of cellular and kidney transplantation. Dr. Kenyon and Dr. Bartholomew are long-time collaborators in the use of MSCs to improve transplant acceptance and long term function. This is their second collaborative grant and follows their findings published in the journal Diabetes last fall. Continued on Page 11

A New Chairman

Her Generous Heart

Major NIH Grant

Tune in to Lifetime

Stem Cell-ebrity

Harold Doran of Kentucky will lead the National Board of Directors.

Longtime supporter Shirley Harris recently made a multi-million dollar planned gift.

DRI’s Dr. Norma Kenyon is awarded a multicenter NIH grant.

Danielle Knox of The Balancing Act hosts DRI segments and more during Diabetes Awareness Month!

DRI’s Dr. Juan Dominguez-Bendala is Under the Microscope.

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