The first question many people who get diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (and other chronic conditions) ask is “how long before a cure is developed?” We have all gotten various answers on this question from doctors and the media, but one thing that never seems to get old are reports that a cure is coming soon.
For example, take this recent story from the Waterford Today, and Irish publication, shares of the JDRF’s global expansion efforts, where they are partnering with the Diabetes Federation of Ireland to encourage type 1 research. The article claims that a cure is “just a matter of time and money,” and gives as an example advances into artificial pancreas and stem cell research as reasons to feel positive about a cure.
Although it is true that science and medical research is progressing and we are hopeful we will see a cure in our lifetime, reports such as these further demonstrate why we need to have an established definition of a cure and be aware of all the factors that come into play when talking about a potential cure.
As the JDCA advocates, a Practical Cure will help to set research objectives and allow for a more tangible assessment of progress. The JDCA believes that non-profit foundations must define their goal and facilitate a measurement of cure progress in order to accelerate the development of a cure for people now living with type 1. This will also help to align research funding with the intentions of donors who are contributing for a cure.
Read our definition of a Practical Cure and our report on Myths Surrounding a Cure to see why we believe it is so important to adapt a more focused and outlined definition of a cure.
