The Foundation for Diabetes Research
Research Grants – A Fact Sheet
The Foundation for Diabetes Research (FDR) was founded in July 1999 by families in Morris, Sussex, Essex, and Union counties. The mission of the organization is to fund research to find a cure for Type I diabetes. A committee comprised of members of our medical and scientific community and lay members review grants and give their opinions to fund certain grants to the Board of Directors. Our goal is to be “Angel Funders” that have the ability to grant smaller projects with merit so that these grants may have a chance of attracting recognition from organizations such as the National Institute of Health (NIH).
In the past seven years, because of the extraordinary people who raise funds on our behalf, we have been able to fund over $2 million in diabetes research. A brief description of our grants is as follows:
- Our first grant was to fund a “fast track” laboratory at Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami School of Medicine
- In December of 2000, a two year grant was made to Dr. Riccardo Perfetti of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, to support an extensive study on modifying cells already found in the body to determine if they could produce insulin.
- Next we funded a grant of Dr. Ricardo Pastori at DRI. His study was to find a way to decrease the mortality of cells during separation from donor to organ in order to make the cells a more viable source of supply for transplantations.
Michael Wallock, Former President of FDR; Riccardo Perfetti, MD PhD; Luca Inverardi, MD;
Harold Starkman, MD, The Pediatric/Adolescent Diabetes Center of Atlantic Health System
Our Active Grants
- “To prevent islet rejection as well as recurrence of autoimmunity, Achieving Donor Specific Tolerance Establishing Stable Chimerism with Safe Pre-Conditioning Regimens,” a grant that hopes to prove the answer to how pancreatic tissue or the organ itself can thrive in the body without the immune system rejecting it or the need to inject drugs to help the rejection process. This is a funded study with two optional years. Juan Dominguez-Bendala, Ph.D is the lead researcher from DRI.
- “Increasing the Number of Islets for Transplantation,” a grant which is being funded to DRI. Scientific researchers, like Dr. Shapiro of the University of Edmonton have proven that pancreatic transplants are a reality. One of the problems is how to have enough islets to transplant; at the present time it takes three pancreases to make enough cells for one transplant. This study combines advances made in molecular biology and protein therapy technologies with those of pancreatic stem cell research to develop a limitless supply of healthy human islets for transplantation.
- Our new grant for 2006 takes us in a very different direction. FDR has approved a grant for Dr. David Bleich of New Jersey Medical School to study “Curing Diabetes with Parasites,” a theory that parasite infection might hold the key to curing Type I Diabetes. His grant will establish a model in mice to explore a cure for Type1 Diabetes.
Today, advances in research and individualized treatment strategies are helping people with diabetes to lead healthier lives. However, it is important to remember that diabetes remains a serious, chronic condition with significant short-term and long-term complications. Low-blood sugars are a constant concern. People with diabetes are at risk of developing chronic complications, including nerve and blood vessel damage, which can affect the eyes, kidneys, limbs, heart and stomach.
The Foundation for Diabetes Research is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Our Federal Tax ID number is 22-3664100. To contribute to the efforts of the Foundation for Diabetes Research and the quest for a cure: a world without diabetes, please contact the Foundation by calling (973) 994-1972 or emailing us at diabetesnj@yahoo.com.
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