Anna Raur of JDRF Nebraska-Iowa provided the Club an update on Type 1 Diabetes, its warning signs, promising research for treatment, and the work of JDRF
“A Type 1 Diabetes Update” was the theme of the Seward Rotary Club program on Wednesday, November 17th at noon at the Seward Civic Center, in recognition of National Diabetes Awareness Month.  Program Co-Chair Kurth Brashear introduced Anna Raur-Senior Community Engagement Manager for JDRF, who spoke on Type 1 Diabetes.  A main research goal of JDRF is “Improving Lives, Curing Type 1 Diabetes!”
 
Ms. Raur shared some personal stories of her family and living with Diabetes, along with several members of the Seward Rotary Club, who have family members living with Type 1 Diabetes.
 
She shared information on JDRF, which is the leading global nonprofit funding type 1 (T1D) research.  Their strength lives in the exclusive focus on the worldwide effort to end T1D and the power of the volunteers. Founded in 1970 by parents determined to find a cure for their children with T1D, JDRF has expanded to be the leading charitable supporter of T1D research in the world, with chapters across the US and international affiliates, and one million volunteers.
 
The mission of JDRF is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.  Funding for JDRF supporters comes from all over the world.  Last year for every $1 JDRF invested in research, they were able to attract nearly $3.5 more from governments, other organizations, and industry partners, with a result of over $506 million being invested in T1D research. 
 
She first spoke on the value of knowing the difference between Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.  Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune diseases with potential ties to genetic and environmental factors. People with T1D cannot produce Insulin.  It cannot currently be prevented.  Type 1 Diabetes requires insulin through multiple daily injections or infusion through insulin pump.  Counting carbohydrates in food and regular physical exercise are important in T1D management.   There are 1.6 million Americans diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. 
 
Type 2 Diabetes is tied to metabolism and genetic susceptibility.  People with T2D are insulin resistant.  It is largely prevented or delayed through diet and exercise.  Treatment varies on an individual basis. Often begins with dietary modifications, exercise and oral medicines.  Some individuals with T2D take insulin shots or wear an insulin pump.  Reducing carbohydrate intake and regular physical exercise are important in T2D management.  There are 30-33 million Americans diagnosed with T2D. 
 
Diabetes causes kidney, eye cardiovascular and nerve diseases.  Complications are not inevitable, with tight blood sugar control as the only method demonstrate to reduce the risk of developing complications. 
 
She pointed out that “everything affects blood sugar” in dealing with Diabetes.  She noted that most are diagnosed between the ages of 5-14.  She touch on many “cutting edge” breakthroughs currently happening within the T1D research world, all as a result of the JDRF work to improve and promote funding for diabetes research. 
 
Personal testimony by various Rotary Club members followed on their family’s T1D situations and stressing how important testing for T1D is for everyone with symptoms.  Questions and answers followed.  
 
Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic health conditions in the USA-both T1D and T2D.  For more information on T1D, visit www.jdrf.org or visit JDRF on facebook.com/myjdrf.