Renewal of Critically Important Diabetes Research Program is Part of Senate-Passed Fiscal Cliff Package

–One Year, $150 Million Renewal of Special Diabetes Program–

Media Contact:

Peter Cleary; 646.581.2109, pcleary@jdrf.org

Washington, DC, January 1, 2013 — JDRF, the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, today thanked the U.S. Senate for including a $150 million, one year, renewal of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) in its year-end package of legislation to avert the “fiscal cliff.”

For the past year, JDRF has led the fight in Congress for renewal of SDP because we know that this program has contributed to remarkable scientific breakthroughs in managing and treating diabetes, which will save lives and reduce the costs of diabetes on our nation, said Jeffrey Brewer, JDRF president and CEO. We are deeply grateful for the bipartisan support in the Senate for renewal. Clearly, when it comes to curing diabetes there is no partisan divide, only a shared commitment to improve the lives of adults and children living with T1D.”

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.

Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than [YTD Funding] to diabetes research. Past JDRF efforts have helped to significantly advance the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education.