I found myself on Facebook a couple days ago and saw a lot of links to an article on diaTribe. It was an interview that was done with The President and CEO of JDRF Jeffery Brewer. Of course, the article caught my attention since it involves the JDRF. A organization that I support whole heartedly.
I read the article for myself and see what all the "hype" was about. (You should read it too and see what you think, just click HERE) I actually read and re-read the article numerous times making sure I wasn't taking anything the wrong way or reading too much into what Mr. Brewer was saying in the article.
I know there are people in the DOC that disagree with what Mr. Brewer has said in the article. They believe he is moving the JDRF away from it's original focus, which is to fund a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. After reading this article I have to respectfully disagree with these people.
I do not feel that JDRF is moving away from their original focus, they are expanding it. I agree we need research for a cure. JDRF is not the only ones looking for a cure. The DRI and Faustman Lab are other wonderful organizations out there actively researching a cure. That is a good thing! The more organizations and people we have out there working on finding a cure the more likely we are to find one.
The JDRF is expanding their efforts to make the lives of Type 1 diabetics, children and adults better, NOW. We need better treatment and better technology to make diabetes easier to live with. There is a good chance that those advancements in treatment and technology very well could lead to helping find a cure.
The JDRF wants to help out across the board, not just with research but with clinical trials, FDA regulation and making sure new technology is covered by insurance companies. Call me crazy but how can this not be a good thing?
We need to find ways to make it safer for children and adults a like to live with diabetes. Remember those with Type 1 live with it 24/7. There is NO rest from diabetes. I have to think about it when Lovebug is awake, sleeping, whenever she puts anything into her mouth, exercise, stress and sickness. Anything and everything effects her blood sugar levels and how she feels.
There is technology out there that would help save Lovebug (and others who suffer from Type 1) from hypoglycemia in the middle of the night (or any time of day really) with a low glucose suspend that shuts off the basal rate on an insulin pump when blood sugar readings go below a certain level. This is life saving technology out there that the FDA is dragging their feet on approving!! Mr. Brewer stated it perfectly
"...JDRF is trying to help the FDA understand how to make diabetes safe to live with then it is today. The example of the automatic shut off during hypoglycemia is a no-brainer. An absolute no-brainer. The fact that we have to go through tens of millions of dollars to clinical trials in order to prove to the FDA that that's a good thing is really a shame."
Simply put, the changes at the JDRF are for the better. If a cure was right around the corner I would be the first one beating the drum screaming at them that their focus is wrong. That isn't the case though. A cure is (unfortunately) at least 10 years down the road. They are not just focusing on a cure but focusing on improving the lives of our kids (and adults) on a day to day basis! That my friends is WONDERFUL!!
After all the negative backlash from the DOC I Mr. Brewer responded to it HERE (you have to scroll down the page just a bit to read it since it was posted on a forum) and did a wonderful job. Thank you Mr. Brewer for not only wanting a cure but wanting to make the lives of our children better.
My friend Nicole also did a wonder post on this subject, check it out HERE!!!
My friend Nicole also did a wonder post on this subject, check it out HERE!!!
