“It’s great to be working together with JDRF on such an important goal — curing a disease that kills one American every three minutes. Additionally, recent statistics reveal that health care expenditures surrounding diabetes cost our nation more than $130 billion,” says Terry Howell, executive vice president of First Horizon. “Recent statistics reveal that health care expenditures surrounding diabetes cost our nation more than $130 billion. 

That’s why we are committed to raising money for cutting-edge research. By working together, we can make a difference.”

Entire families from children to grandparents enjoyed participating in the Walk to Cure Diabetes — even if they are not among the 21 million Americans with a personal connection to diabetes.   

“We are immensely appreciative of the participation from our corporate partners” said Michelle Reynaud, president of the board of directors for the West Tennessee Branch of JDRF. 

“This is corporate citizenship at its best. The commitment of Terry Howell and First Horizon and of our friends at International Paper enables us to accelerate research to find a cure for diabetes. Insulin is life support, not a cure, and research is the only answer for the as many as 3 million Americans suffering from type 1 diabetes and its complications.”

Actor Kevin Kline is National Chair of JDRF’s Walk to Cure Diabetes. Kline has been celebrity advocate for JDRF for the past five years.  

“Those of us who are blessed with good health must do all we can to help support the research community in their search for a cure for juvenile diabetes,” said Kline. “The daily regimen of finger pricks and injections of insulin, combined with the constant dread of complications, are burdens that no child should have to suffer with.”

JDRF Walks are held in more than 200 cities worldwide. Nationally, nearly 500,000 people walked to cure diabetes last year. Collectively, the JDRF Walks raised over $95 million last year, and are expected to raise $102 million this year for diabetes research. 

JDRF, the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide, was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with juvenile diabetes — a disease which strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin-dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since inception, JDRF has provided more than $1.16 billion in direct funding to diabetes research. More than 85 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. JDRF’s mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more information, visit the JDRF Web site at www.jdrf.org or call the West Tennessee Branch at (901) 861-6550.
Published in The Messenger 10.29.08