The phrase finding a cure has special meaning for Deborah Roberts. “I recently saw a T-shirt that read, ‘Insulin is not a cure,’ and it hit me, insulin isn’t a cure, but it is the only thing keeping my daughter alive,” she said. “The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) understands that, while searching for a cure, it is extremely important to keep those with Type 1 diabetes healthy and alive so that, when a cure is found, they can take advantage of it.”
Roberts and her husband, Mike, are the co-chairs for this year’s JDRF Gala, which will be held on Saturday, April 14, at the Statehouse Convention Center.
The Roberts family became involved with JDRF in April 2007, when their oldest daughter, Rebecca, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. “JDRF was there with all of the answers,” Roberts explained. “They gave us all the help we could possibly need. But there is no cure—yet.”
“The research to help treat and manage this disease has progressed, even in the five years our family has been directly involved,” she said, “but having a medical device attached to my daughter 24/7 to keep her alive is not the answer that she nor any of the other millions of children deserve.”
Roberts explained that while scientists are getting close, JDRF remains dedicated to its mission to find a cure for Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, through the support of research and education, while improving the lives of those living with the disease.
“It has been amazing to watch my oldest daughter manage the challenges that come with Type 1 and also to see my other three children walk alongside her as she carries that burden,” Roberts said. “They are learning that life is hard and sometimes not very pretty. We can love and carry others’ burdens, but we can’t take them away. You want your children to learn life lessons, but when they are living the lessons, it is very hard not to want take the burden away.”
The JDRF Gala will honor Dr. Bill Deaton and Dr. Ben Bartnick on behalf of Radiology Associates, PA, with the 2012 JDRF Living and Giving Award. Many JDRF ambassadors, young children who have been diagnosed with Type 1, will also be on hand early in the evening to welcome guests and thank them for their support.
“Our communities can support JDRF by financially investing in JDRF-funded research and also by contributing valuable volunteer hours to provide education and awareness about the disease,” said Roberts. “I feel it is important that we support and fund research through which a cure will be found one day, and this awful disease will no longer cause millions to suffer.”
2012 JDRF Gala
When: 6-11 p.m., Saturday, April 14
Where: Statehouse Convention Center
What: cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, dancing with The GroanUps
Tickets: $200 per person
Info: JDRF.org, 217-0321