About JDRF & Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune disease that is currently unpreventable. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle and occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing beta cells within the pancreas and begins killing them off. Eventually the pancreas isn't able to produce enough insulin to control the blood-sugar spikes that happen after eating. Today, people with T1D rely on insulin therapy to control their blood sugar levels. Insulin therapy is imperfect, however, and even with advances in care, most people still experience life-threatening blood-sugar highs and lows. 1.6 million Americans currently have type 1 diabetes (T1D), and the disease costs about $15 billion each year to treat. Finding ways to prevent this disease is central to saving lives and reducing healthcare costs. With T1D there are no days off, and there is no cure. That's why since 1970, JDRF has sponsored nearly $2 billion in scientific research in 17 countries. We won't stop until we create a world without T1D.