Mary Tyler Moore, Nick Jonas, Sugar Ray Leonard Plead for Federal Funding for Diabetes...

Mary Tyler Moore, Nick Jonas, Sugar Ray Leonard Plead for Federal Funding for
Diabetes Research

Join 150 Kids with Type 1 Diabetes on Capitol Hill for JDRF's Children's
Congress 2009

WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nick Jonas, Mary Tyler Moore,
Sugar Ray Leonard and kids with type 1 diabetes testified this morning before
the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs on the need
for funding for type 1 diabetes research.

The hearing was the culmination of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's
Children's Congress, the largest grassroots event held in support of research
for type 1 diabetes. More than 150 children and teenagers representing all 50
states took part in JDRF's Children's Congress, which included a visit with
President Barack Obama at the White House, a Town Hall panel of athletes and
celebrities impacted by diabetes, individual visits for each kid delegate with
their senators and representatives, and the Senate hearing.

"While technology has made it much easier for me to manage my diabetes,
technology is not a cure. Insulin is not a cure. Like everyone here today, I
know that the promise of a cure lies only in research," Mr. Jonas, who was
diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13 said. "I ask that each of you join
me in supporting the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program next year so that
the researchers can continue their work on a cure for our disease. My life
depends on it. All our lives depend on it."

"Diabetes has changed my life," he said. "But I know I've benefited from the
government's investment in diabetes research. With the help of Congress, I'll
only have to wait a little bit longer for a cure."

"With your help, we're making real progress towards discovery, development,
and delivery of cures and significantly improving the health outcomes of
people with type 1 diabetes and its complications," Ms. Moore, who was
diagnosed as an adult, testified. "With your help, new life-changing
therapies and cures will, finally, be within our reach."

"My decision to turn professional was based largely on the desire to help my
family cover the costs of my father's care," said Mr. Leonard, whose father
had diabetes. "Thanks to Congress' support, the advances made through
research are bringing us closer to the cure that will allow these children to
finally knock out diabetes."

The Senate hearing, "Type 1 Diabetes Research: Real Progress and Real Hope for
a Cure," included testimony from Ms. Moore, Mr. Jonas, Mr. Leonard, Dr.
Griffin Rodgers, Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and four children with type 1 diabetes. The
hearing was chaired by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).

The testimonies of Ms. Moore, Mr. Jonas and Mr. Leonard are included.

About JDRF
JDRF is the leader in research leading to a cure for type 1 diabetes in the
world. It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest
charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide.

The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications
through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease
that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal. Until a cure is
found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give
themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump -- each day, every
day of their lives. And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure
for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications,
which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and
amputation.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF
has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research, including more than
$156 million in FY2008. In FY2008, the Foundation funded more than 1,000
centers, grants in laboratories, hospitals, and industry, and fellowships in
22 countries.

For more information, visit the JDRF web site at www.jdrf.org or call
800-533-CURE.

For more information on Children's Congress, visit www.cc.jdrf.org.

Testimony of

Ms. Mary Tyler Moore
International Chairman, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

At the Hearing Entitled: "Type 1 Diabetes Research: Real Progress and Real
Hope for a Cure"

Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 9:00 a.m.

Before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Good morning Senator Collins, Senator Lieberman, and members of this
committee.

As International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, I want
to thank you for your leadership and commitment to sustaining robust federal
funding for diabetes research. Your efforts are resulting in real progress
and real hope for millions of Americans personally affected by type 1
diabetes.

I am honored to be accompanied today by all of the terrific young delegates
and special guests who surround us in this chamber and join me on this panel.
We sincerely thank you for providing us the opportunity to testify about an
issue that we know all too well -- life with type 1 diabetes and our hope for
a cure.

Ten years ago, Tommy Solo -- an 8 year old JDRF volunteer from Boston -- had a
big idea. Tommy was frustrated with his Type 1 diabetes and was looking for
something he could do to move us closer to a cure. He thought, "Why not have
kids with diabetes, like me, go to Washington, D.C. and tell Congress we need
their help?"

Even at age 8, Tommy understood, intuitively, what JDRF's Moms and Dads and
people personally affected by Type 1 had always known: When confronted by
challenges to our personal well-being, the solution starts with our
willingness to share our stories, make our case, and ask others to join us as
partners in our cause.

Senators, we are grateful to you for welcoming our Children's Congress
delegates to these rooms over the years since, for listening to us, and for
remembering us and our partnership for a cure with your legislative leadership
and support.

But because our work, together, will not be done until we have found a cure,
here we are again today. More than 150 child delegates from across the United
States and several countries join me to participate in the 10th anniversary
Children's Congress, acknowledge the remarkable progress we've made, and
reflect on the challenges which remain.

As many of you know, I have endured the ups and downs of type 1 diabetes for
almost 40 years. And as all of these children and their families can attest,
every single day with type 1 diabetes tests our will and determination to live
a normal life. Each day I check my blood sugar several times, count
carbohydrates in what I am going to eat, take multiple insulin injections, and
exercise.

Even with this structured regimen, terrific doctors, and the loving support of
my husband Robert, my blood sugars can still fluctuate tremendously. If I
don't take enough insulin, my sugars can go dangerously high -- which, over
time, can lead to long-term complications such as blindness, nerve damage,
kidney failure and a host of other serious ailments. If I take too much
insulin, my sugars can drop frighteningly low, which can acutely lead to
feeling really sick and cold and anxious and lost and, in turn, lead to
unconsciousness, seizures or worse.

I actually had my first hint of impending long-term complications of diabetes
in 1981 -- after only about 11 years of having the disease. I truly wish the
technology that is available today and the understanding that we now have
about how to manage diabetes was available when I was first diagnosed. Back
then, to get an idea of what your blood sugar was, we relied on urine tests.
They were not all that accurate, timely or helpful. I did the best that I
could to control my blood sugars, but it was really difficult. And my
doctors, even if they wanted to, couldn't really push me to do what was -- as
a practical matter -- not really doable. As a result, by 1981, I was well on
my way to having vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.

I wasn't alone. Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of adult blindness.

I was terrified. How was I to continue doing the things I loved most --
dancing, horse back riding, window shopping on Madison Avenue -- if I went
blind?

At the time I was diagnosed with Type 1, there was no simple treatment to
prevent diabetic retinopathy. But when my retinas started to show evidence of
damage due to diabetes, there was, thankfully, a new procedure available
called "laser photocoagulation" that was able to keep me from going blind.

But not without costs. Because, in order to halt the progression of diabetic
retinopathy and save your "central vision," the laser must literally burn
holes in your peripheral retina.

So the combination of the disease itself and its vision preserving treatment
has resulted in my having a difficult time seeing when it is dark or when I'm
in a room that isn't well lit. My peripheral vision, and vision below my
waist, is also very limited. Simple things like navigating curbs on a street
or changes in levels between rooms in an unfamiliar home, or seeing one of my
precious pups taking a nap in an unusual place, or recognizing a welcoming
hand that's been patiently waiting for me to shake it, are challenges of the
first order!

For years, I kept the full impact of my diabetes under wraps. While people
knew I had type 1 and that I was a long-time, outspoken advocate for a cure
and International Chairman of JDRF, the general public didn't know the extent
to which diabetes affected my day-to-day life.

But recently, at the prompting of a lovely young woman named Diane Revzin, and
her father, Phil, I wrote a book about living with diabetes. Diane is a
19-year-old fellow diabetic; Phil is a book publisher.

My book is entitled "Growing Up Again -- Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes."
It chronicles my battles with type 1 in the context of my broader life
experience and career, and I hope it informs and even inspires people facing
similar challenges. Though I am not here to promote my book, I'm happy to
note that all my proceeds from its sale will be donated to JDRF to advance
research for a cure.

As JDRF's International Chairman, I am, actually, just one volunteer in an
army of determined moms, dads, children, loved ones and friends personally
affected by diabetes. We are not sitting back waiting for the cure. These
children before you have built lemonade stands, created walk teams, held bake
sales, and organized car washes. Most importantly, they have spoken out about
their lives with diabetes and shown, by their courage and hard work, that they
can accomplish anything -- including being an important part of finding their
own cures. Overall, JDRF's efforts have enabled us to contribute over $1.3
billion to diabetes research since our founding in 1970, and over $150 million
last year alone. But curing diabetes is an enormous task. We can't do it
alone. And that's why we're here.

We are so very grateful that this committee and Congress as a whole, have been
our true partners in the fight to cure type 1 diabetes and its complications.
The Special Diabetes Program -- which has been renewed by Congress four times
since it was enacted in 1997 -- currently provides $150 million per year for
type 1 diabetes research. This critical funding has led to some remarkable
advances... including real progress in developing new therapies that are
potentially life-changing for all of us sitting before you, today.

I will ask our friend, Dr. Griffin Rodgers the Director of the NIDDK, to
elaborate more on the scientific progress we've seen, thanks to the Special
Diabetes Program funding. But there are a few areas of research that I would
like to touch upon today, myself -- areas that affect me, personally.

Researchers are using the Special Diabetes Program funds to find a way to
prevent and reverse diabetic retinopathy. This is very exciting work and it
gives me great hope, especially for children and young adults with Type 1. As
a result of these advances, people with diabetes may be able to live with far
less fear of visual loss and have an alternative to laser therapies' "burn the
village to save the village" approach.

Major advances are also being made in the development of new devices, called
Continuous Glucose Monitors or CGMs. By measuring blood sugars, automatically,
every few minutes, and graphically showing the results and the up and down
trends, CGMs help people to better understand their diabetes, and avoid
extreme highs or lows.

Teams of researchers are now working hard to connect CGMs with insulin pumps
via a control algorithm --- thereby creating a fully automated system that can
closely mimic the blood sugar control workings of a human pancreas. This
intelligent pump would automatically administer insulin based on a person's
blood sugar level and whether it was rising or falling. Human clinical trials
are already underway, and the early results are very encouraging.

In short, with your help, we are making real progress towards discovery,
development and delivery of cures and significantly improving the health
outcomes of people with type 1 diabetes and its complications. To keep up
this progress, however, Congress must renew the Special Diabetes Program in
2010. Without your help, we face a 35% cut in federal funding for type 1
research -- a cut that could turn hope into despair. With your help, new
life-changing therapies and cures will, finally, be within our reach.

When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, it is a hectic, crazy time. There
are ambulances or emergency rooms. You hear medical terms you never knew
existed. Days blur into nights. But one thing is common at every diagnosis.
Every parent of these delegates here today, every parent of every child ever
diagnosed with type 1 diabetes makes a promise to them. We'll do everything
thing we can to find a cure for you. We promise.

As their Chairman and "oldest delegate" -- by just a year or two -- I'm proud
to be leading our 2009 Children's Congress Delegates in their efforts in DC
this week. As we have started to do in this special hearing, today our goal
is to persuade our Senators and Representatives to also make a promise. We
hope you will "promise to remember us" when you vote on the Special Diabetes
Program and other important issues that affect all of us with diabetes.

The energy and commitment of families affected by type 1 and the strong
support of champions like you on Capitol Hill make me certain that we will,
soon, be able to turn the promising research made possible by JDRF and the
Special Diabetes Program into our "promises kept for a cure."

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do for these children,
for me, and for all others who are touched by type 1 diabetes. I look forward
to continuing to work with you as we pursue our mutual goal of a cure. I
promise.

Testimony of

Mr. Sugar Ray Leonard
World Champion Boxer

At the Hearing Entitled: "Type 1 Diabetes Research: Real Progress and Real
Hope for a Cure"

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
9:00 a.m.

Before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs

Good morning Senator Collins, Senator Lieberman, and members of the Committee.
I am Sugar Ray Leonard, and I appreciate this opportunity to appear before
you today. I would like to testify about the burden of diabetes and the need
for continued research funding to cure this devastating disease.

First, I would like to thank Senator Collins for her unwavering dedication to
people with diabetes. As a diabetes advocate, I know how grateful we all are
to have you as one of our champions.

It is wonderful to be here in Washington, DC as part of the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation's Children's Congress. I grew up not far from here, in
Palmer Park, Maryland. My teenage years were spent in the boxing ring,
winning a number of amateur boxing championships. I won National Golden Glove
Championships, AAU championships, and gold medals at both the Pan American
Games and the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

During this time of great personal accomplishment, privately my family faced
tremendous challenges as my father struggled to manage his diabetes. We are
not alone in this fight. Nationwide, more than 24 million people have
diabetes, a chronic disease that imposes a huge emotional and financial burden
on patients and their families.

I know all too well the toll that diabetes can take on a family. As I closed
the book on my amateur boxing career, I planned to begin a new chapter in my
life as a college student at the University of Maryland, but I had to face the
reality of my father's illness, and the incredible medical bills that resulted
from his life with diabetes. My decision to turn professional was based
largely on the desire to help my family cover the costs of my father's care.

Due to the long list of complications associated with diabetes, the cost of
this disease is overwhelming for any family. But it's also overwhelming for
the nation and our health care system. Diabetes costs are currently estimated
at $174 billion each year -- $116 billion in direct medical costs and $58
billion in lost productivity and disability. In California, where I now live,
the direct and indirect costs of diabetes totaled more than $24 billion in
2007.

Thankfully, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has partnered with the
federal government to make a meaningful investment in diabetes research. I
was proud to serve as an International Walk Chairman for JDRF, which has
provided more than $1.3 billion in funding for type 1 diabetes research over
the years. Last year alone, JDRF funded more than $150 million in diabetes
research.

With the leadership of Sen. Collins and our many other diabetes champions on
Capitol Hill, the federal government has been a real partner along our path
toward a cure for diabetes. We are so thankful to Congress for renewing the
Special Diabetes Program. That program provides $150 million each year for
diabetes research at the National Institutes of Health and an equal amount for
the treatment and prevention of diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Native
populations.

Since its inception in 1997, the Special Diabetes Program has funded research
that has shed important light on the causes of type 1 diabetes, as well as
who's at risk for developing the disease. The research funded by the Special
Diabetes Program is unique because its discoveries are important not only to
people with type 1 diabetes but also to people who suffer from similar
auto-immune diseases. The therapeutic advances in diabetes complications made
possible through the Special Diabetes Program also apply to people with type 2
diabetes, making this program a critical component of any effort to fight
diabetes. Please help us keep up the momentum behind this research by
ensuring the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program.

Life with diabetes is sort of like life in the boxing ring. Some days, you
don't feel on top of your game, and your opponent can get the best of you.
Other days, you're managing the fight well and able to outsmart and outbox
your opponent. One of my most memorable fights was my re-match against
Roberto Duran. I lost my welterweight crown to Duran just a few months
earlier, and I couldn't wait to get my title back. I fought a smart and
skillful match. With just seconds to go in the 8th round, Duran suddenly
walked back to his corner, threw up his hands and said, "no mas." No more.
He gave up.

Now, it would be easy for these children here today to say "no mas." The
fight against diabetes is a tough one. Some days, nothing seems more
difficult, more impossible, to battle. There are days we all think about
saying "no mas." But it's clear these children have fight in them. They're
willing to go as many rounds as it takes to beat this formidable opponent.
And we have you in our corner. Thanks to Congress' support for the Special
Diabetes Program, the advancements made through research are bringing us
closer to the cure that will allow these children to finally knock out
diabetes.

Thank you again for having me here to testify today, and I look forward to
answering your questions.

Testimony of

Mr. Nick Jonas
Musician, Jonas Brothers

At the Hearing Entitled: "Type 1 Diabetes Research: Real Progress and Real
Hope for a Cure"

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
9:00 am

Before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Good morning. My name is Nick Jonas, and I'd like to thank you for having me
here today. I'd like to share my story of living with type 1 diabetes, and
talk about the need to fund research to find a cure.

First, I would like to thank you, Senator Collins, for chairing this hearing
and for being such a champion for all of us with diabetes. Everyone here
today for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Children's Congress is
grateful for your leadership on the Senate Diabetes Caucus and your commitment
to people with type 1 diabetes. We are lucky to have you pushing for policies
that will bring us closer to a cure.

In one way, or another I have spent most of my life performing. I've been
writing songs since I can remember, and I love sharing my passion for music.
As a little kid, I sang in the choir in my dad's church, and then performed on
Broadway. As the Jonas Brothers, my brothers Joe, Kevin and I have written
songs, made albums and toured the country, playing our music for people all
over America.

It was during a concert tour in 2005 that I was diagnosed with type 1
diabetes. My brothers were the first to notice that I had lost a lot of
weight -- fifteen pounds in two weeks. I was thirsty all the time and had a
bad attitude, which isn't like me at all because I'm a really positive person.
It would have been easy to blame my symptoms on a hectic schedule. But my
family knew I had to get to a doctor.

The normal range for blood sugar is between 70 and 120. When we got to the
doctor's office, we learned that my blood sugar was over 700. The doctor said
I had type 1 diabetes, but I had no idea what that meant. The first thing I
asked her was, "Am I going to die?" She assured me that I wasn't going to
die, but that I'd have to manage this disease for the rest of my life. We
went right to the hospital where I spent three days, including a crash course
in getting my blood glucose levels in control and living with diabetes.

It hasn't been easy, but diabetes technology has really helped me to manage my
diabetes. At first, I took insulin shots, but it was just too hard on the
road to give myself shots. I switched to a pump, which has been great. Since
then, my average blood glucose levels have come down, and I'm able to use the
pump to better estimate how much insulin I need based on the carbs I eat. I
am also considering a continuous glucose monitor, but for now, I still prick
my finger to check my blood sugar. I do that up to 12 times a day, including
right before I began this testimony.

While technology has made it much easier for me to manage my diabetes,
technology is not a cure. Insulin is not a cure. Like everyone here today, I
know that the promise of a cure lies only in research. I am grateful that
Congress renewed the Special Diabetes Program last year, which has helped
researchers make important discoveries into what causes type 1 diabetes. This
vital program has also funded research to test new drugs and therapies that
could treat or cure patients with type 1 diabetes, and may even lead to an
artificial pancreas one day. I ask that each of you join me in supporting the
renewal of the Special Diabetes Program next year so that the researchers can
continue their work on a cure for our disease. My life depends on it. All
our lives depend on it.

After I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I wrote a song called A Little Bit
Longer about dealing with diabetes. I'd like to submit a copy of the full
song for the record, but I'd like to read one of the verses, which explains my
outlook on life with diabetes.

All this time goes by
Still no reason why
A little bit longer
And I'll be fine
Waitin' on a cure
But none of them are sure
A little bit longer
And I'll be fine

Diabetes has changed my life. But I know that I've benefited from the
government's investment in diabetes research. With the help of Congress, I'll
only have to wait a little bit longer for a cure.

In the meantime, I've decided not to let diabetes slow me down. In just the
last two months, my brothers and I launched a new TV show, released our third
album and began a world concert tour. My approach to managing diabetes is to
focus on simple wins -- little things I can do each day to achieve my goals.
Over time, these everyday victories can make a big difference in your life --
just like every research advancement moves us along on our path to a cure.
While on that path, I want to be a positive face for diabetes. I want to show
kids with type 1 diabetes - like all the kids sitting with me today - that
they can live with diabetes and still make their dreams come true.

Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today, and thank you for
your commitment to diabetes research. With your help, a little bit longer and
we will all be fine.

SOURCE Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Joana Casas, Office: +1-917-574-6122, Mobile: +1-973-687-6085,
mcasas@jdrf.org, or Bill Ahearn, +1-917-574-7324, wahearn@jdrf.org, both of
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation