JDRF Australia

JDRF is the world’s leading not-for-profit supporter of type 1 diabetes research, investing more than $1.6 billion since 1970 including more than $63 million into Australian research. JDRF’s support has been behind most major advances in type 1 diabetes research in the past four decades. We collaborate with industry partners, commercial partners and governments ($35m funded through the Australian Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network) to bring our research results into the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes. As we work towards a cure for type 1 diabetes, we also support the type 1 diabetes community with information, resources and personal connection. Typically striking young people, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys the ability to produce insulin, which is vital for life. There are more than 120,000 Australians living with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes requires a daily regime of multiple injections or continuous infusion of insulin through a pump, as well as 6 – 8 finger-prick blood tests, to stay alive. Researchers are working hard to more fully understand the complicated mix of genetic and environmental factors that may cause or trigger this disease. However, it is certain that going on a diet or cutting down on sugar doesn’t stop type 1 diabetes.