I actually think J&J is a great company--their overall mission and commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability beats out by far any other large company with a diabetes product. Unfortunately, I didn't like the Animas pump (the 2020) when I tried it, and went back to Minimed. For those of you concerned about conflicts of interest on part of corporations with lots to gain as long as there's no cure, I share your concern. However, it's difficult to predict which research arena is going to produce the best outcomes for T1s living everyday with diabetes, and when. The webcast about the Artificial Pancreas Project this morning should help you grasp the kind of technology they're seeking, http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/4256828. The speaker said that of $115 million JDRF will put toward research this year, $100 million is going toward biologic, cure-related projects (0:03'45" - 0:05'15" ).
Aaron Kowalski gave a LIVE webcast this weak about the artificial pancreas project. He spoke to many of the topics we've been discussing here on juvenation. You can check out the recording of the video session here: http://promise.jdrf.org/blog/jdrf-leadership/live-video-event-to-answer-your-artificial-pancrea.aspx
Thanks Red!!
I am working on getting Aaron to do an online chat at my website as well!
i am very happy that they are funding research to develop an artificial pancreas. Though it is not a cure, it would be the next best thing in my opinion (as long as it was affordable- we are still trying to get $$ for an insulin pump, i can only imagine what an AP would cost).
i believe JDRF puts money into 3 main areas: finding a cure, improving diabetes management, and trying to figure out what causes type 1 and how it can be prevented.
Gina and Red, this is the same webcast that I linked in my posting. I suppose it will help to separate paragraphs in future if I expect anyone to read my posts :-)
Thanks Bryan- The Ustream link is good, but there are some good user comments and "promise to remember me" campaign links on JDRF's "official" page that others may also find helpful.
Wow, I just read the posts on pages 2-4 of this thread! My first post (above) was during my first visit to Juvenation, and I was replying to a post on page1 -- I somehow hadn't noticed there were 4 more pages of commentary.
And inflammatory commentary at that. It's totally alright to feel angry about having diabetes and the fact that a cure hasn't been discovered yet. But it's ultimately self-destructive to turn that anger toward fellow diabetics, the funders, and the researchers who we depend upon if a cure is to be found within our lifetime. (Not to mention that getting all heated-up generally isn't a great strategy for keeping BGs down.)
I just found this somewhat "lively" thread and can't help but feel a little sad at all the negativity. Maybe I'm naive, but when I watched the JDRF announcement on the website, I cried tears of joy at the news of the AP. When I told my nine-year-old son who has had T1 for over a year and a half, he grinned from ear to ear. I was very excited about the advancement. I think we should be thankful for any and every step toward better treatment and an eventual cure.
Shannon
Personally, I agree with you Shannon. Our whole family was thrilled with the news.
I think some of the negativity is collective frustration about "when a cure is coming." It actually inspired me to write about the "when" on my blog yesterday: Here's the post
~ Red
Red,
I read your post on your blog. It was very appropriate. When Christopher was dx, the doctor didn't give a timeline for a cure. Instead gave a general timeline for innovative treatments and research for a cure. That was an excellent way of giving a very scared family a little hope for a better future.
Shannon
There is nothing negative about questioning a company that you give thousands of dollars too.. You SHOULD question what happens with your money.
im agenst it i just 15 so i dont care About my diabetes anymore.
If it helps me become a commercial pilot then I am all for it!!!