Imagine Life Without Type 1 Diabetes

A world without T1D is close, and your funding can help fund research that will pave the way to achieving this. Our Research For Scientists
Every Donation Brings Us Closer to a Cure Diabetes isn't something that should follow us into the 22nd century. Your donations can help make this a reality, it's time to cure T1D. Our Research For Scientists Together, We Can Conquer Type 1 Diabetes With your support, we're not just researching a cure; we're building a community of hope, love, and resilience, moving together towards a day when Type 1 Diabetes is a thing of the past. Our Research For Scientists A world without T1D is close, and your funding can help fund research that will pave the way to achieving this. Our Research For Scientists

Imagine Life Without Type 1 Diabetes

Every Donation Brings Us Closer to a Cure Diabetes isn't something that should follow us into the 22nd century. Your donations can help make this a reality, it's time to cure T1D. Our Research For Scientists

Our Projects

See our approved research projects and campaigns.

Pioneering Breakthroughs in Diabetes Research

Diabetes Research Connection (DRC), are making a significant impact in the fight against diabetes. Each year, countless individuals and their families face the challenging diagnosis of diabetes. Our efforts are dedicated to supporting these communities through groundbreaking research and innovative solutions, aiming to transform the way diabetes is understood.

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Lauren and Kyra

Lauren and Kyra

Meet Lauren and her older sister, Kyra. Lauren has been part of DRC for four years and has navigated Type 1 Diabetes since the age of six.

  Reflecting on her childhood, Lauren shares, “When I was five years old, I completely lost my appetite and refused to eat anything for over a week. I was drinking orange juice and water by the gallon, and I was constantly exhausted.

  My parents initially thought I had a bad case of the flu. Then I began to lose weight rapidly. My body became just skin and bones, and my parents realized it was more serious.”

  Recalling a pivotal moment, Lauren adds, “When I refused to even taste my own birthday cake at my sixth birthday party, my mom took me to the emergency room. After hearing my symptoms, the doctor immediately checked my blood sugar levels, which were over 900. I was hours from going into a coma. I am so fortunate to have been diagnosed before it was too late. It is incredibly important to be aware of the signs so that Type 1 Diabetes can be caught as early as possible.”

  Kyra, Lauren’s sister, was diagnosed at 13, four years after Lauren. She shares her experience, stating, “I specifically remember being extra thirsty and feeling as though no amount of water could quench my thirst. Subsequently, I was peeing way more than normal. I realized pretty quickly what was going on, so I stole my little sister’s glucose monitor and checked my blood sugar. Sure enough, I saw ‘320’ flash across the screen and knew this meant I had T1D too.”

  Kyra also emphasizes, “Being a medical student living with Type 1 Diabetes, DRC holds personal significance to me as it highlights the vital role of early-career scientists. By uniting these emerging researchers with donors, DRC encourages the next generation of scientific leaders to drive innovation and breakthroughs in diabetes research.”

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Allison and Mac

Allison and Mac

Imagine facing each day with the weight of a life-threatening and unrelenting medical condition. Allison knows the reality of this all too well. Both she and her sister, Marianne have lived with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) since childhood and, just recently, her 4-year-old son, Mac, was also diagnosed with T1D – a day she describes as “the worst day of my life.” Allison felt a deep sense of sadness, knowing the daily burdens of T1D that Mac would now face.

“Type 1 Diabetes is completely exhausting,” Allison shares. “While treatments have come a long way, with incredible advancements like the CGM and integrated pump, we still carry the burden of this disease.”

Like Allison and her family, millions of others worldwide hope for the day when the burdens of T1D no longer exist. DRC shares that hope and remains committed to funding the most promising T1D researchers across the country who are tirelessly working toward a cure.

Be the first to know about T1D news, join the DRC family!

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive project updates, latest diabetes research news, and more.

WHY YOUR DONATION MATTERS

Your support helps fund innovative early-career T1D research with the potential to change lives.

The 1.6 million statistic is out of date. We can change this to: “Currently 2.1 million Americans live with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), including 300,000 children. Approximately 64,000 new patients are diagnosed each year. With your backing, we can drive innovation and advancements to find a cure.”

Diabetes Researching
flavia pecanha

HOW IT WORKS

Scientists from across the country submit their projects through our website.

DRC has distributed approximately
$4.1M in research seed-funding | $79M in research
follow-on funding

Donor-Driven, Peer-Reviewed, Innovative Diabetes Research

Advancing understanding through DRC

Diabetes Research Connection is at the forefront of funding groundbreaking diabetes research aimed at discovering innovative treatments, therapies, and eventually a cure.

A few words from our supporters

News

“She Beeps, and That’s OK”: Author Danakelly Hampton on Confidence, Community, and Living with Type 1 Diabetes

For children living with Type 1 diabetes, medical devices like insulin pumps and glucose monitors can sometimes feel like an unwanted spotlight—especially when they beep in the middle of class […]

Orchestrating Hope: Alisa Weilerstein on Living with Type 1 Diabetes

Building Comfort into Chronic T1D Care

A Partner’s Guide to Loving Someone with Type 1 Diabetes

Get Social With Us!

Thanks to our sponsors, donors, and volunteers, DRC’s Dance for Diabetes raised

for Type 1 Diabetes research
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Type 1 Diabetes affects more than blood sugar—it impacts mental health too. This World Mental Health Day, let’s champion emotional well-being alongside physical care.💚

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Halloween is one of the most exciting times for kids, filled with fun costumes, festive activities, and candy. However, for children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their families, Halloween can come with extra considerations. The combination of candy and excitement can cause unpredictable blood sugar levels, but kids with T1D shouldn’t miss out on the fun. Children with T1D can still enjoy Halloween safely with careful planning. Our new blog will share practical tips for navigating Halloween with T1D, from planning to managing post-Halloween blood sugar: https://ow.ly/w2Eo50TAg1i

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Read our 2023 Annual Report here: https://ow.ly/hlps50TBwuS

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Insulin For Life is collecting supplies to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene.  For information on accepted donations and how to contribute, please visit their website here: https://iflusa.org/donate-supplies/

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As flu season begins, it brings additional concerns for individuals managing type 1 diabetes (T1D). Viruses, particularly the flu, can cause unpredictable blood sugar fluctuations and increase the risk of severe complications, making it a critical time for those with T1D to take extra precautions. Learn about the importance of getting the flu vaccine for T1Ds in our new blog: https://ow.ly/f4Fw50TAfMF

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DRC is proud of our significant impact in the world of type 1 diabetes research. 🧑‍🔬

Read our full 2023 Annual Report here: https://diabetesresearchconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2023_Annual_Report-Final.pdf

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September marks National Preparedness Month, a time when everyone is encouraged to take steps to prepare for emergencies. For people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), this month is an important reminder to stay proactive about managing their health, particularly during unexpected events like natural disasters, power outages, or travel disruptions. Having a plan can significantly reduce the risks and challenges associated with T1D. Our new blog, "Emergency T1D Planning," will walk through essential strategies to help you stay prepared, including creating a diabetes emergency kit, safeguarding your insulin during power outages, and developing a robust plan for various emergencies: https://ow.ly/gK4850Tqg5i

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September marks the beginning of a new academic year, with students nationwide starting their college journeys. For those managing Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), this time of year brings unique challenges alongside the excitement. With the right support, you can thrive in your college environment. Our new blog, "Top Tips for College and T1D Management," provides practical tips to help you navigate college life while keeping your T1D under control, ensuring you stay healthy and focused on your academic goals. 📚Read here: https://ow.ly/kT0550TqfJA

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Our mission: to connect donors with early-career scientists enabling them to perform peer-reviewed, novel research designed to prevent and cure Type 1 Diabetes, minimize its complications and improve the quality of life for those living with the disease.🔬

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We had a blast with all of our supporters last night at the 2024 Dance for Diabetes! Thank you for dancing the night away with us while helping fight to end type 1 diabetes. See you next year!

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Today is the day! Get your dancing shoes on for our 2024 Dance for Diabetes fundraiser. 🕺

WHEN: TONIGHT at 5:00PM.
WHERE: Green Acre, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, CA 92121

Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/CluR50SSpr5

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Friendly reminder! Our Dance for Diabetes fundraiser is just one week away! Join us for a night of dancing, live music, great food, fun auction items, and supporting type 1 diabetes research. See you there! Register at the link in our bio. 

#DanceForDiabetes #SupportResearch #FindACure

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A huge thank you to all our incredible sponsors for making the 2024 Dance for Diabetes possible! Your generosity drives our mission to raise awareness and support for the Type 1 Diabetes community. We couldn't do it without you. 💙

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We are so excited to have Republic of Music at our 2024 Dance for Diabetes! Voted the BEST Dance Band in San Diego, it is sure to be a fun night. 🎶

Register for the event at the link in our bio.

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Thank you to Tandem Diabetes Care for sponsoring our 2024 Dance for Diabetes! Your support empowers us to keep moving, raising awareness, and making a difference in the lives of those with Type 1 Diabetes. Together, we're dancing towards a brighter future! @tandemdiabetes

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Are you ready to groove?💃 Join us in two weeks for our 2024 Dance for Diabetes on Saturday, September 7th! Register at the link in our bio.

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Take a step inside our 2023 Dance for Diabetes! We had such a fun time at our tropical oasis last year. 🏖️🌺

Don't miss out on our event this year on September 7th! Join us for our annual Dance for Diabetes fundraiser as we move and groove to support research for a cure for type 1 diabetes. Register at the link in our bio today and help us make a difference!

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As summer comes to an end, the new school year is almost upon us. For students with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), this time can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety. While starting school with T1D involves managing health and academics, a significant part of the challenge comes from dealing with stigma and fostering self-advocacy. This blog focuses on understanding where potential stigma originates and how students with T1D can build the confidence to communicate their needs effectively. Fostering mutual learning and understanding can help students with T1D thrive academically and personally.

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We grant up to $75,000 to support each research project

 

Be the first to know about T1D news, join the DRC family!

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive project updates, latest diabetes research news, and more.

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