2013 JDRF Hope Gala “Lights, Camera, Cure” Shines Spotlight on Diabetes

Portland, May 4th, 2013. Over 400 guests joined forces at the JDRF benefit and raised over $460,000 to help fight type 1 diabetes.  At the JDRF Oregon/SW Washington Chapter gala Scott Burgess, Board President and Suzanne Mackin, Gala Co-Chair, helped honor Bart Ricketts the President of Lease Crutcher Lewis with the 2013 Living Giving Award. The three are pictured with Larry Mackin, Gala Co-Chair at the Governor Hotel. (Photo credit, Juan Kiss for TPNW 2013  of Team Photogenic)

The vintage Hollywood theme was carried throughout the venue.  Music was provided by The Joe Montgomery Trio featuring Courtney Fortune.  Silent & wine auctions; a live auction and seated dinner brightened the event.

From JDRF:

The Mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research and also provide support for those living with type 1 diabetes and their families. It is reported that 50% of diagnoses of type 1 diabetes are now adults and 50% are children.  JDRF funds more diabetes research than any other organization in the world. Over $2.9 million in grants have been funded in the past years to researchers in Oregon.

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 the largest charitable supporter of T1D research.

The goal of JDRF is to improve the lives of every person 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 $1.5 billion to T1D research. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. Past JDRF research efforts have helped to significantly improve 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.

JDRF Oregon/SW Washington

The Oregon/SW Washington Chapter of JDRF was founded in 1995 and serves the entire state of Oregon and all of SW Washington. In addition to our annual fundraisers, we have several outreach programs available including our Bag of Hope Program for newly diagnosed T1D’s, Parent Mentor Program, Type 1 Supper Club for Young professional Adults with T1D, and Parent Coffee Groups.

Since our founding in 1995, JDRF has funded over $2.9 million to research being done in Oregon.