JDRF Appoints Derek Rapp as new President & CEO

JDRF’s International Board of Directors (IBOD) announced on Monday, July 21, the appointment of Derek Rapp, currently Vice Chair of the JDRF International Board of Directors, as its new President and CEO. Rapp replaces Jeffrey Brewer who recently left his role as JDRF President and CEO since 2010.

“Jeffrey Brewer has been a transformational CEO for JDRF,” said John Brady, Chairman of the JDRF IBOD. “Because of his vision and leadership, we are on the verge of life-changing breakthroughs that will fundamentally improve the way people live with type 1 diabetes (T1D). JDRF is a stronger, more efficient and more focused organization than it was four years ago. We are deeply grateful for the outstanding contributions he has made that have brought us closer than ever to creating a world without T1D.” Read the full press release here.

Hey, autoimmune attack – this is your intervention.

JDRF’s Restoration Program focuses on restoring the body’s beta cell function and stopping the autoimmune attack in its tracks —in short, the biologic cure for T1D. Various human clinical trials of immune interventions have led JDRF to fund a new, multi-million dollar clinical study of imatinib for the treatment of T1D. Imatinib (brand name Gleevec®) is a drug currently approved and marketed to treat certain types of cancers. Based on additional research funded by JDRF and others, the drug appears to have multiple positive effects in T1D, including: slowing the immune system attack on beta cells, reducing beta cell stress and death, and increasing beta cell growth and replication. Read more about this groundbreaking study here. Or you can read  Stephen E. Gitelman, MD, Chief of the Pediatric Endocrine Division at the University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco take on the clinical trial here.

School is Now in Session

On average, a child will spend up to 7 hours at school each day.  That means 7 hours of relying on others to help your child manage their T1D.  Good communication and planning are essential to providing top care for T1D in the school environment. JDRF’s created a “School Advisory Toolkit” that offers collaborative methods for educators and parents of children with diabetes to ensure that every child enjoys the best possible school experience. Download your toolkit here today.

Ready, Set, Go

Raise more than $4 million for the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes. Find key leadership for the One Dream Gala. Engage more newly diagnosed families throughout all of Illinois. And this is only a small sampling of the ways we’ve asked our Board of Directors to help us accomplish goals in the new fiscal year. No easy requests, but our group of 39 diverse individuals are ready and set to make this year the most successful yet. To learn more about who these extraordinary leaders are, view our Board of Directors here.

Gettin’ Figgy with It

French Riviera olive oil, avocado basil tapenade, Herbs de Provence goat cheese, crème brulée cheesecake… If these words are music to your ears (or taste buds), then join us for a private chef’s dinner on September 10 at Fig & Olive restaurant. Tickets are $225 for a decadent four course meal paired with beverages at this new Mediterranean inspired restaurant in River North. Even better, event proceeds will support JDRF’s mission to turn Type One into Type None. Contact Laura Monico (312-447-7960) with your reservation today. Or help us spread the word by sharing this information with your network.  View full evening menu here.