Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

The Diabetes Research Institute is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research, committed to bringing promising discoveries from the lab to patients in the fastest way possible.

How do you help people in my community?

Since the age of 14, Diane Gilletti lived with what she refers to as “brittle diabetes,” suffering multiple complications and always struggling to gain control over her blood sugar. Staying healthy was a tall order for Diane. At 19, she agonized over the possibility of going blind, as retinopathy progressively damaged her eyes. Though multiple laser surgeries saved her vision, the complications continued. Her body was extremely sensitive to insulin, and she lived in constant fear of a hypoglycemic reaction. “For about four years, I lived alone. That was the time I was most scared,” she explained, recalling one nearly fatal experience. “It was the middle of the night, I was all alone, and I went into full convulsions.”  When Diane regained awareness, she felt lucky to have survived, and wondered what might happen the next time. Severe hypoglycemic reactions happened more frequently as she got older, occurring every couple of months. Her husband, Nick, would watch over her as she slept, constantly checking for signs of low blood sugar. If not for him, Diane insists that she wouldn’t even be alive.  Eventually, her kidneys started to lose function, and after a bout with a virus, they shut down completely. “I went on dialysis, and that was a huge blow,” she said solemnly. In 1997, Diane received a kidney transplant, but her diabetes did not improve, and all she could think was, “What else can go wrong?”

Why do you need my support?

Chances are you know someone with diabetes. That’s because more than 21 million Americans have diabetes, including as many as seven million who have the disease but have not yet been diagnosed. Diabetes affects people from all social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. It is a serious, chronic condition with potential short-term and long-term complications. The world of medical research is full of exciting discoveries, yet few centers have the ability to move these ideas up the research ladder and closer to reality. The DRI is uniquely structured to conduct translational research, the process of moving promising findings out of the laboratory and to the patient. Housed within the Institute’s Leon J. Simkins Research Tower are state-of-the-art facilities for the three critical phases of research – basic (laboratory), pre-clinical (large animals), and clinical (patients). Scientists working within these three research levels share and build on each other’s results, ensuring that progress is made as quickly as possible.

Much of the research now underway is aimed at overcoming the two major challenges that remain before islet transplantation can move toward widespread use in both children and adults with the disease – eliminating the need for potentially harmful anti-rejection drugs, and obtaining enough islet cells to treat all people living with diabetes. In just the last year, we have seen groundbreaking developments in a number of scientific initiatives, all of which are completely focused on a cure. Private sector support plays a critical role in the DRI’s ability to make progress. These contributions are the seed money that our scientists use to pursue new ideas. Once preliminary work is done and enough data is collected to show that the research is promising, the scientists can apply for competitive grants through the National Institutes of Health and other large funding organizations. Without the seed money provided by individuals like you, there would be very little funding available to test novel ideas.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

People affected by diabetes today are more knowledgeable about research – as a result, more aware of the DRI’s achievements – and they want to be a part of it.  They’re taking a close look at where their donations go.  They want to be sure their money is making a difference and know they are personally helping to advance research.  They can see and feel this at the DRI.  In short, the DRI Foundation has become the organization of choice for those who are serious, passionate, and committed to the original mission of the founding parents: to find a cure for those living with diabetes.

Can I Volunteer? How?

On Father’s Day weekend, volunteers hit the streets for Dollars Against Diabetes, otherwise known as DAD’s Day, a national fundraising program. Families and friends from across the country collect contributions on street corners, at shopping centers and sports venues, in addition to planning local fundraising events and activities to support the DRI. This is just one of many events held during the year to help fund the cure-focused research of the DRI. The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s national headquarters is located in Hollywood, FL, with regional offices in Long Island, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. To find a listing of all of our events, visit our website at www.diabetesresearch.org or call 1-800-321-3437.