JDRF

JDRF (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) is a major charitable 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to funding type 1 diabetes research (T1D). JDRF’s stated vision is "a world without type 1 diabetes."

The organization has its executive office in New York City, with chapters and branches throughout the U.S., and international affiliates in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

History

JDRF was founded in the Philadelphia area. Led by Lee Ducat, a group of local parents of children with T1D mobilized to raise money for diabetes research, and formed the first chapter of what was then known as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. A second chapter was founded shortly thereafter in Miami, Florida, followed by chapters in northern New Jersey and Washington, D.C. The fledgling organization was defined by its commitment to research funding. In addition to the high priority on funding T1D research, the organization’s founders resolved to inform the public about all aspects of T1D, advocate for more research funding from the federal government, and maintain the organization’s system of management by volunteer lay people. Since its inception, JDRF has evolved to become a worldwide leader in the fight against T1D. JDRF now has chapters and branches in most U.S. states, and international affiliates in several different countries.