The JDRF, which, as most people know, is one of the biggest diabetes foundations out there with hundreds of fundraising events throughout the year, including its world-famous Walk for a Cure, have released their 2011 Annual Report, which you can read here.
The 24-page report goes in-depth on the progress the organization has made, the achievements they have reached, it gives attention to the talented people behind their programs, and sets new goals for the upcoming year.
“The JDRF Mission is the same today as it was more than 40 years ago: to find a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and the complications through the support of research. Ultimately, what that means is finding a way to completely restore normal physiology, and JDRF will not rest until that end is achieved,” the report reads beneath the question “What is a Cure ?”
So the question then becomes – is that a Practical, or an Idealized cure ? Is it really possible to completely restore normal function to the pancreas? If so, when can such a thing be achieved – will we be able to experience a life free of diabetes within our lifetime? Is there a concrete process that will work towards this end?
As a reminder, the JDCA definition of a Practical Cure is something that we can aim for and see achieved before 2025 – read the full definition here.
A Practical Cure does not return the patient to a state as if they did not have diabetes. It seeks to deliver the result that most people and families would consider an acceptable, cure-like lifestyle. This is important to distinguish because an Idealized Cure is extremely unlikely and rationalizes a substantial amount of funding as cure related when it would be practically judged idealized and exploratory by most donor’s standards.
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