JDRF Nebraska-Iowa Chapter

About JDRF
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that strikes both children and adults suddenly. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent it. And, at present, there is no cure. In T1D, your pancreas stops producing insulin—a hormone the body needs to get energy from food. If you have T1D, you must constantly monitor your blood-sugar level, inject or infuse insulin through a pump, and carefully balance these insulin doses with your eating and activity throughout the day and night.  

 JDRF is the leading global organization funding T1D research. Our strength lies in our exclusive focus and singular influence on the worldwide effort to end T1D by funding innovative research to advocating for government action to providing a support structure for our community. Our mission: Improving lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. 

Programs & Services Offered

  • JDRF Advocates raise awareness among Members of Congress of the financial, medical and emotional costs of type 1 diabetes (T1D) to help build and sustain critical support for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research funded by the Federal Government.

  • JDRF No Limits Teen and Adult Care Kits are designed for teens and adults and their families. The kits feature tools and information to educate, support, and inspire teens and adults with T1D—newly diagnosed and veterans alike. Each kit request prompts personal outreach from a knowledgeable and compassionate JDRF volunteer and a newly diagnosed communication series that reinforces some of the key learnings in the No Limits™ Care Kits.

  •  Bag of Hope®  When a child receives a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D), it can be an overwhelming time for both the child and their family. As they navigate this challenging period of adjustment to life with T1D, the JDRF Bag of Hope® provides helpful information and useful resources. Along with educational materials, the bag includes a special friend— Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes®—to show children they are not alone while learning to take insulin and test their blood sugar. Each Bag of Hope® request prompts personal outreach from a knowledgeable and compassionate JDRF volunteer and a newly diagnosed communication series that reinforces some of the key learnings in the Bag of Hope®.

  • The Online Diabetes Support Team (ODST) offers one-to-one online support via email. Those who contact the ODST can count on sincere and helpful responses within 48 hours.

  • JDRF’s TypeOneNation JDRF’s TypeOneNation Summits offer virtual educational sessions four times a year in English and monthly in Spanish to help people with T1D and their loved ones live their best lives. Experts from across the country share their knowledge on important topics that affect people living with or caring for someone with T1D.

    A select number of JDRF chapters host local, in-person TypeOneNation Summit events throughout the year bringing together the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community for education, interactive experiences, peer connection and much more.

    TypeOneNation.org is JDRF’s vibrant social network/community forum for people with T1D, their families, and friends. The site is created for—and powered by—the T1D community. Members of this diverse and lively community exchange information, answers, and support.

  • JDRF One Walk brings together thousands of people across the country to change the future for everyone living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). JDRF One Walk gives people with T1D, their loved ones, companies, and the local community the opportunity to create change and positively impact the lives of those living with T1D. With more than 130 events across the country each year, there's always an opportunity to get involved. Whether you'd like to start or join a corporate or family team, walk alone, or you prefer to volunteer, you can choose what works best for you.

  • JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes (Ride) is a charitable cycling event that has raised more than $66 million to date for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Ride gives cyclists of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to support breakthroughs that transform the lives of people with T1D. Ride is an experience where thousands of riders come together from all over the world to make new friendships and enjoy the unparalleled camaraderie of the Ride community with a shared mission to raise money to help end T1D.

  • JDRF Game2Give is a partnership with video game players, streamers, and developers to raise money to fight type 1 diabetes (T1D).  Since 2019, Game2Give has mobilized thousands of people affected by T1D who love video games to fundraise more than $3 million for crucial research toward cures

  • Team JDRF to Cure Diabetes provides entry into some of the country’s most exciting challenge events, including relays, marathons, and more. Designed for JDRF supporters of all fitness levels, Team JDRF is a partnership. Participants commit to raising a minimum dollar amount and in exchange, leading up to and throughout the event, JDRF provides coaching and support.

  • JDRF Signature Events, Galas and Golf tournaments, are the premier fundraising events for most local chapters. Funds raised from these events go toward research for life-changing treatments and a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

  • JDRF Your Way lets you put your time, talent, and creativity to work to help create a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D). You come up with the idea, we support you. Whether it's through a special occasion, athletic event, memorial, or your own unique fundraising campaign, JDRF gives you all the tools and tips you need to raise money—your way—for T1D research. 
     

    Did You Know?

  • Some 1.45 million Americans are living with T1D.

  • 64,000 people are diagnosed each year in the U.S.

  • 2.1 million people in the U.S. are expected to have T1D by 2040.

  • Between 2001 and 2009, there was a 21 percent increase in the prevalence of T1D in people under age 20.

  • In the U.S., there are $16 billion in T1D-associated healthcare expenditures and lost income

    annually.

  • Less than one-third of people with T1D in the U.S. are consistently achieving target blood-

    glucose control levels.

  • Nine in 10 people diagnosed with T1D have no family history.

  • Warning signs of T1D often appear suddenly and may include:

    • drowsiness or lethargy.

    • extreme thirst.

    • frequent urination.

    • fruity odor on the breath.

    • increased appetite.

    • heavy or labored breathing.

    • sudden weight loss.

    • sudden vision changes.

    • sugar in the urine.

    • stupor or unconsciousness.

  • Type 1 diabetes does not happen quickly with sudden onset of symptoms, but usually starts long before insulin is required.

You Can Help

  • A donation to JDRF allows the more than 50 clinical trials to continue to advance.

  • A donation to JDRF provides the ability to educate the public of the importance of type 1 diabetes screening for anyone, at any age. 

  • When you donate to JDRF, you are accelerating life-changing type 1 diabetes (T1D) research breakthroughs to cure, treat and prevent T1D. 

Dollars at Work

  • 275+ active projects are funded around the globe today.

  • Over $2.5 billion is committed in research grants since the founding in 1970.

  • 50+ JDRF-funded clinical trials are currently under way.

  • 167 JDRF No Limits Teen and Adult Care Kits have been distributed.

  • 165 recipients have received a Bag of Hope.

  • Approximately 200 families were contacted by a JDRF Outreach Ambassador.

  • 150 people attended TypeOne Nation Summits in March and 90 people in April.

  • Approximately 300 people attended Community Engagement Events throughout the year.

NEW JDRF LOGO 2012.JPG
 
 
 

Contact Info
Omaha Office: 402-397-2873 | website | 9202 West Dodge Road, Suite 304, Omaha, NE 68114