Thanks for your comments Clive.
Our Foundation\'s early years and our affiliation with JDRF International deserve a more complete history than this article can deliver. We will share more detail about JDRF\'s history in the future, with support and input from the Pack family and others.

Thanks for all your comments. To clarify, this story allows JDRF to share the results of a study that was funded by Medtronic.

Thanks for your comment. It is true that many of the targets for curing type 1 diabetes that have been cited by researchers and the type 1 diabetes community have been and gone. The journey towards a cure is proving to be long and challenging, but there is hope. Much progress has been made since JDRF was formed, in the field of diabetes management, in treating and preventing complications, and in raising awareness so that diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can happen earlier. Most researchers believe that a cure for this disease will be found, with enough resources, and it's vital that they continue to pursue that goal because type 1 diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australian children. In response to your comments about JDRF's governance, please refer to the Foundation's audited financial reports, available online at http://www.jdrf.org.au/about-jdrf-australia/annua... or feel free to call our Sydney office on 02 9020 6100 if you'd like more information.

Hi Didier,

For more information and to apply go to: www.jdrf.org.au/pumps.

JDRF

One complicating factor is that they are relatively different areas of science. The benefit of organisations like JDRF is that we encourage the researchers from these different fields to work together, because we are focused on a cure for type 1 diabetes. In the normal course of events, research partnerships across those fields would not happen to the same extent.

JDRF was formed 40 years ago, so it is true to say that we have been talking about a cure for this disease for a long time now. This is a long, complex journey, yet for many people it remains a hopeful one.

JDRF recognises that many years have passed but also that immense progress that has been made in that time. We remain focused on a cure but we also want to keep people with diabetes as healthy as possible. By supporting research that is improving control, as well as treatments and prevention of complications, we can see a direct positive impact on the lives on people with type 1 diabetes every single day.

Thank you again for your support for JDRF.

It is great to see such constructive, meaningful debate about research strategy. Thank you.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, and it is thanks to researchers supported by JDRF we understand more than ever about the autoimmune process. Type 1 diabetes is also a comparatively complex disease, with an autoimmune component and a whole body impact.

One of JDRF's four research pathways is focused on the autoimmune element of type 1 diabetes ('Immune Therapies'), while another of the pathways concentrates on Beta Cells. Globally, these two research pathways are funded in roughly equal measures.

The scientific community is in agreement that we need to advance research knowledge in both fields to stop the autoimmune attack and then replace or regrow the beta cells to cure type 1 diabetes - you can't have one without the other.

Thank you to those that have participated in this conversation. JDRF acknowledges there will always be a variety of views on any issue from amongst the type 1 diabetes community.
To clarify, one key point from this article was that John's son Daniel was suffering from an unidentified gastro complaint where he was not able to eat or keep food down. Most would agree that being isolated from medical assistance in this circumstance with type 1 diabetes is a potential dangerous scenario.
Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts on this issue.

Thanks for these comments, which are correct.
JDRF's research strategy is grouped into four 'pathways'. One of these is Immune Therapies, where the focus is - as you point out - to prevent, stop and reverse the autoimmune process that kills off the insulin-producing beta cells and causes the onset of type 1 diabetes.
The Beta Cell Therapies pathway, which encompasses this new partnership with Eli Lilly, is where JDRF is seeking to find ways to trigger the body to grow new insulin-producing cells or to directly replace them using cells from outside the body.
The Immune Therapies and Beta Cell Therapies pathways are closely related to one another but nontheless they represent distinct fields of scientific enquiry.
It is just one example of how the journey to find a cure for type 1 diabetes is a complex one, yet there remains much hope thanks to the great progress that has already been made.
Thank you again for being part of it. You might like to read more here or here

It is rewarding to see so many comments that are aiming to help others manage life with type 1 diabetes. Congratulations to the contributors on your generosity of spirit.

In response to comments about cure vs. prevention, JDRF would like to provide some information about our research strategy.

JDRF is focused on improving the lives of people with diabetes today and in the future, so our research support is directed towards the science that leads to better treatment as well as science leading to a cure.

Globally in 2009/10, JDRF dedicated over US$100 million to type 1 diabetes research. Around 60% of that was directed towards what are known as 'Cure' Therapies, while the remaining 40% was directed towards 'Treatment' therapies, which look at improving blood glucose control as well as treating and preventing complications.

These figures demonstrate that a very significant portion of JDRF's energy is directed towards improving the health and wellbeing of people with type 1 diabetes today while also working towards the ultimate goal, a cure.

To read more, please visit: http://www.jdrf.org.au/type-1-diabetes-research or review our 2009/10 Annual Report at http://www.jdrf.org.au/about-jdrf-australia/annua...

Hello all, if you feel like some support from the type 1 community, JDRF runs a Peer Support Program which gives newly diagnosed adults and families the opportunity to connect to the type 1 diabetes community.

The Program is a volunteer driven network of parents and individuals who have been living with type 1 diabetes and can draw on their own experiences and help others. For more info contact your local JDRF office 1300 363 126 or visit our website: http://www.jdrf.org.au/our-community/support.