FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Diabetes Research Initiative Included in 1997 Balanced Budget Act
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation anticipates stamp of approval from Congress
(August 1, 1997), New York, NY – The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International (JDFI) applauds the inclusion of $330 million for new diabetes programs in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 – especially the $150 million that is earmarked for Type I diabetes research programs. Final passage of the Act by Congress is expected this week.
In addition to other important initiatives, The Act provides for $30 million per year for five years for innovative research and treatment programs focusing on the prevention and cure of Type I diabetes.
"With the tremendous human and economic tolls taken by this devastating disease and its complications, it is more than appropriate that a full frontal attack on diabetes be launched by the federal government," said Robert Wood Johnson IV, Chairman of JDFI. "This long awaited increase contains a significant infusion of new funds for research into Type I diabetes, and provides renewed hope for millions of Americans."
This new initiative is the result of strong bipartisan support for increasing the federal commitment to diabetes research. Both House Speaker Newt Gingrich and the White House are supportive of this budget provision.
"Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and the numbers are steadily increasing," stated James E. Mulvihill, D.M.D., President and CEO of JDFI.
"We know that this extraordinary initiative will help attract the attention of our leading scientists, and encourage them to apply their knowledge to the complex problems of diabetes in new and imaginative ways. As the true and devastating impact of diabetes becomes better recognized, we look forward to the upcoming NIH-sponsored conference on scientific opportunities in diabetes research, and to the re-energizing of JDFI’s longstanding partnerships with federal diabetes research programs."
"Insulin is not a cure," said Mary Tyler Moore, JDFI’s International Chairman. "With this initiative, we can capitalize on years of research progress and start to move advances out of the laboratories to the bedsides of our loved ones."
The mission of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDFI was founded in 1970 by parents of children with diabetes who were convinced that through research, diabetes could be cured. With chapters from coast to coast and affiliates around the world, JDFI gives more money to diabetes research than any other non-profit, non-governmental health agency in the world. In 1996, JDFI awarded $30.3 million to diabetes research worldwide, bringing the cumulative dollar commitment to $220 million.
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