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| 8-Oct-07 9:00 AM CST | ||
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1,000 Virginians Drive Out Diabetes with Specialty Plates |
For Immediate Release: October 8, 2007
Media Contact: Eva Clark, JDRF (804) 405-8384
1,000 Virginians Drive Out Diabetes
with Specialty Plates -Milestone means proceeds will support Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to help find a cure-
(Richmond, Va.) - The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation just reached a major milestone in the fight against diabetes. JDRF announced the sale of the 1,000th Drive Out Diabetes specialty license plate through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. From this point forward, proceeds from Drive Out Diabetes plate sales will directly benefit JDRF’s mission to find a cure for diabetes.
Marilyn B. Tavenner, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources, was the 1,000th Virginian to puchase a Drive Out Diabetes license plate. She joined JDRF at Byrd Park in Richmond to celebrate the milestone as part of the organization's annual walk-a-thon on Saturday, October 8. “Type 1 diabetes is a serious health issue affecting families across Virginia and the world,” said Marilyn Tavenner, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources. “The Drive Out Diabetes specialty plates are an easy way for Virginians to support research to find a cure. I’m proud to support this effort and urge Virginians to join me by purchasing their own Drive Out Diabetes plate and help us find a cure.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people living with diabetes in Virginia has increased 90 percent over the past decade (to 7.4 percent), and that is just considering growth among adults over 18 years of age.
Mark Warner, former Governor of Virginia, lent his support to the campaign. "Finding a cure for juvenile diabetes is a goal that's very dear to my heart," said Warner. "As a parent of a child living with diabetes, I'm a proud supporter of JDRF and all the work it's doing to give our kids a healthy future free from this illness."
The Drive Out Diabetes campaign launched in October of 2006. The plate features a youthful, creative and colorful design. For the past year, volunteers with JDRF have been promoting the specialty plate to volunteers and supporters across Virginia. The sale of 1,000 plates puts JDRF over the threshold to start receiving proceeds from all future sales. Money from the Drive Out Diabetes campaigns will go directly to JDRF to support research on Type 1 diabetes.
“We will receive vital support from the Drive Out Diabetes campaign,” said Eva Clark of the Richmond JDRF. “It’s our hope that every Virginian who knows someone with Type 1 diabetes will purchase one of these specialty license plates and generate greater financial support and awareness for JDRF.”
To purchase a Drive Out Diabetes specialty license plate, go to www.dmv.virginia.gov or visit a local Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office.
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Photo attached: Marilyn B. Tavenner, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources was the 1,000th Virginian to purchase a Drive Out Diabetes license plate. She joined JDRF at ByrdPark in Richmond to celebrate the milestone as part of the organization’s annual walk-a-thon on Saturday, October 6. Download photo now.
About Type 1 Diabetes. This is the most serious and complicated form of diabetes and it accounts for $132 billion in annual health care costs in the U.S. alone. In children and adults with Type 1, their pancreas stops producing insulin. Insulin is the hormone that enables people to get energy from food. To survive, people with type 1 diabetes must test their blood sugar levels four or more times a day by pricking their fingers to draw blood. Then depending on their blood sugar level and their carb intake, they administer insulin through multiple, daily injections, or the use of a continuous infusion insulin pump. While trying to balance insulin with the amount of food eaten (which raises blood sugar) and exercise (which lowers blood sugar), people with type 1 diabetes must constantly be prepared for potential life-threatening hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions. The long-term complications of diabetes can include blindness, heart attack or stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage and amputations. While usually diagnosed in childhood, type 1 diabetes can also be diagnosed in adults.
About JDRF: JDRF was founded in 1970 by parents of children living with juvenile diabetes - a disease that strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since inception, JDRF has provided more than $1 billion to diabetes research worldwide. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and education about research. JDRF's mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more information, visit the JDRF web site at www.jdrf.org or call (804) 254-8014. ________________________________________________________________ This message was sent by the Richmond Public Relations Society of America Public Service Committee on behalf of JDRF. Each year the committee works with Richmond nonprofits to provide PR support on a volunteer basis. |
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