Bob Reid, Executive Director

Bob began by thanking Arcadia Rotary for the work we do in the community and for supporting JDRF LA walk for the cure by organizing a walk team for November 11th.

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease. 3 Million people in US have T1D – 30,000 new diagnoses a year, growing 3-4% annually. In Los Angeles County 40 young people a month are being diagnosed with T1D.

T1D occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys certain cells in the pancreas, an organ about the size of a hand that is located behind the lower part of the stomach. These cells — called beta cells display definition — are contained, along with other types of cells, within small islands of endocrine cells called the pancreatic islets. Beta cells normally produce insulin display definition, a hormone that helps the body dispense the glucose contained in food into cells throughout the body, which use it for energy. But when the beta cells are destroyed, no insulin can be produced, and the glucose stays in the blood instead, where it can cause serious damage to all the organ systems of the body.

For this reason, people with T1D must take insulin in order to stay alive. This means undergoing multiple injections daily, or having insulin delivered through an insulin pump, and testing their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times a day. People with diabetes must also carefully balance their food intake and their exercise to regulate their blood sugar levels in an attempt to avoid hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions, which can be life threatening.

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on T1D research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The Greater Los Angeles Chapter has served its community for over a decade and has offices in downtown Los Angeles and Bakersfield. In 2010, JDRF LA contributed more than $4.4 million to research. The goal of JDRF is to improve the lives of every person affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D.

Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.6 billion to T1D research. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. Past JDRF research efforts have helped to significantly improve the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered.

Maura Hudson, daughter of our own Dirk Hudson, joined Bob and shared about her experience with a child who has T1D. Maura’s daughter was fortunately diagnosed early. She is in 2nd grade now. She has to test her blood 8-10 times a day and receives insulin through her insulin pump. It took a good year for the family to adjust, get into a routine and fully grasp this new life with T1D. With the ongoing support of JDRF they have been able to adjust. Maura now serves on the board of JDRF LA. She is thrilled by the huge progress of research and technology around T1D. She feels they are close to a cure and fortunate to be a part of such a great organization.

The “Walk for a Cure” is this Saturday November 11th at Dodger Stadium.

[by John Wilson]