Barbara Williams Recognized for Outstanding Dedication

New York, NY, September 30, 2015. – JDRF presented its Erwin Lurie Volunteer of the Year Award to Barbara Williams last night at the JDRF International Board of Directors dinner in New York, NY. Barbara was recognized for her outstanding contributions to JDRF on behalf of all people affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D).

“It is an incredible honor and privilege to present the Volunteer of the Year award to Barbara. She is a shining example of what a JDRF volunteer should aspire to be, and we couldn’t be luckier to have her so deeply involved with the JDRF Georgia Chapter,” said Derek Rapp, JDRF President and CEO. “Barbara embodies JDRF’s values through her collaboration with volunteers and staff and her passion for curing T1D.”

Barbara has been an active volunteer with the JDRF Georgia Chapter since her now 26 year-old son, Teddy was diagnosed with T1D at 18 months. Over the last 25 years, she has worked tirelessly to support JDRF’s mission and the JDRF Georgia Chapter’s goals, having held multiple leadership positions. In addition to helping fund a cure for T1D, Barbara actively supports and advocates for all people affected by T1D, from her words of encouragement to a newly diagnosed family to urging state legislators and U.S. senators and representatives to support JDRF’s mission.

“Barbara personifies ‘passionate volunteer’. Barbara and her husband, Byron, were not seeking to join the T1D community and become actively involved with JDRF. But after her son, Teddy, was diagnosed 25 years ago, she was all in,” said Trey Moore, JDRF Executive Director, Georgia Chapter. “Anyone who has met Barbara loves her and, because of her passion and sincerity, many volunteers and donors continue to support JDRF.”

Barbara is a passionate voice for T1D awareness and is dedicated to JDRF and their mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. She has donated endless time and resources to ensure the betterment and growth of the JDRF Georgia Chapter. Williams’s leadership and involvement have ensured that the JDRF Georgia Chapter continues to be one of the highest grossing chapters nationwide.

“JDRF has been our family for the almost 25 years that Teddy has fought his enemy–type 1. We have met wonderful people, children and adults that are fighting the same fight as Teddy. We are proud the money we have raised is funding research to find the cure,” said Barbara. “We felt that volunteering for JDRF was the way to fight back against an enemy that came into our lives and the lives of so many others that we knew and loved in the JDRF family.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award is named after the late Erwin Lurie, who helped found JDRF in 1970 with wife Carol and others after his son was diagnosed with T1D at age 10. His wisdom, guidance and support were instrumental in creating JDRF, the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide. Through his years of dedication and commitment, Erwin was a pivotal influence and driving force behind JDRF’s mission.

 
About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested nearly $2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers in more than 100 locations throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF.