Riley Hospital and Clarian Health Leading Efforts to Cure Juvenile Diabetes

09/15/2007

Indianapolis - As many as 3 million Americans may have type 1 diabetes. Each year over 13,000 children - or 35 children each day - are diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S.

Riley Hospital for Children and Clarian Health have been active in the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes since its inception in 1997. This year's walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, on the campus of IUPUI.

Clarian Health and Riley are demonstrating support through the creation of one of the largest corporate walk teams, and Clarian Board Chairman Bill Hunt and his wife Nancy have contributed $25,000 to the cause. The Hunt family's donation is in recognition of the 25 year anniversary of their son Bill's initial type 1 diagnosis.

A cure is within reach, and JDRF is leading the way by funding a major portion of all type 1 diabetes research worldwide, more than any other charity. In fact, JDRF funding and leadership continues to be associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in research to date.

Over the years, JDRF has repeatedly partnered with Riley and Clarian to advance research and treatments, providing millions of research dollars in the effort to find a cure for diabetes.

"Every day we get closer and closer to finding a cure thanks to partners like Riley for their hard work in research and donations," said Linda Gann, executive director of the JDRF Indiana State Chapter.

One particular research group, headed by Dr. Linda DiMeglio, pediatric endocrinology, associate professor of pediatrics at Riley, "Toddler Pump Therapy," is measuring the long term effectiveness of insulin pump therapy in young children.

"Most families who have young children with type 1 diabetes prefer to use insulin pump therapy because it is more convenient and seems to be effective. Meanwhile, we are measuring their quality of life, autonomy and outcomes as they get older," said DiMeglio.

Another research group is Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet. Research is underway in type 1 diabetic development, prevention and early treatment through multiple clinical trials at 18 clinical centers in nine countries across the world. One center is located at Riley in Indianapolis.

"We have been conducting research here for years in partnership with numerous organizations, especially JDRF. Knowing we can actively contribute to advances in diabetes medicine is an incredible feeling," said Dr. Henry Rodriguez, pediatric endocrinology, associate professor of pediatrics at Riley and president of the JDRF Indiana State Chapter's Board of Directors.

"I am thankful there have been medical advances in diabetic medication and devices have improved tremendously since I was first diagnosed 25 years ago; advances like the home blood glucose monitoring systems and insulin pump therapy, yet a cure is our ultimate goal," said Bill Hunt Jr., who is coming to Indianapolis for the walk from his home in Atlanta, Ga.

Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, is a devastating often deadly disease that affects millions of people, a large and growing percentage of them children.

Living with diabetes is a constant balancing act of visiting with doctors, frequently taking insulin shots, counting carbohydrates, checking blood sugar levels, enduring ups and downs, and living with uncertainty.

A common misconception of type 1 diabetes is that it can be controlled by insulin. While insulin does keep people with the disease alive, it is not a cure. Aside from the daily challenges of living with type 1 diabetes, there are many severe and often fatal complications caused by the disease.

Riley offers its type 1 diabetic patients, depending on their specific situation, three treatment options: insulin shots, an insulin pump and a glucose meter that provides a blood sugar analysis.

For more information contact Jennifer Rice at 317-962-4592.