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Who we are.  The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) is the leader in setting the agenda for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide, and is the world’s largest charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research. Since its founding in 1970 by the parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF is on an unrelenting mission to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.  Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes children and adults suddenly, but lasts a lifetime. It requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump.  Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, amputation, and pregnancy complications.  To learn more about JDRF, click here. What we do.  JDRF funding and leadership is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes research to date. In fact, JDRF funds a major portion of all type 1 diabetes research worldwide, more than any other charity. Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has funded more than $1.3 billion in diabetes research, including more than $156 million in FY2008.  In FY2008, JDRF funded 1,000 centers, grants, and fellowships in 22 countries. JDRF-funded research also benefits individuals with type 2 diabetes, since JDRF’s extensive programs focused on preventing and curing complications benefit those with both forms of diabetes. How we succeed.  JDRF is structured on a business-world model that efficiently and effectively directs resources to research aimed at finding a cure as soon as possible. More than 85 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. Because of its unwavering focus on its mission to find a cure, JDRF annually receives top rankings from independent sources that rate charitable giving.  To learn more about JDRF’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, click here. What makes us unique.  JDRF is the leader in setting the agenda for type 1 diabetes research worldwide, and is the world’s largest charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research.  JDRF uses its research leadership to bring about collaborations between top researchers in diverse fields to focus their energies on finding cures for type 1 diabetes and its complications.  Our influence allows us to ensure that the best and brightest researchers are searching for the cure. For more information, please visit JDRF International and JDRF Northwest.