— Michelle Griffin Recognized for Her Years of Dedication to Ending Type 1 Diabetes—

NEW YORK, June 16, 2017 – JDRF presented its annual Jim Tyree Chairman’s Choice Award to Michelle Griffin for her significant and noteworthy contributions as a volunteer with JDRF US, the leading organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. The award was given during a special ceremony at the 2017 JDRF One Conference held in Chicago, Ill.

“We are delighted to present Michelle Griffin with this much-deserved honor. Her determination to find a cure inspires others to join the fight,” said Mark Fischer-Colbrie, JDRF Chairman, International Board of Directors. “Michelle’s tireless commitment and passion for this mission have made her invaluable to the international board of directors as well as the Greater Bay Area chapter. She is an incredible force for good for JDRF and the entire T1D community.”  

Griffin has been an active volunteer with JDRF since her son was diagnosed with T1D 10 years ago at age 9. It has been her greatest wish to lift the daily burden of this disease from her son. , and She has poured herself into that goal with boundless energy from the very beginning, when her family formed their Walk to Cure Diabetes team, Cam’s Crew, which has raised over $125,000 from family and friends in support of JDRF’s mission.  “The silver lining of this disease has been becoming a part of the amazing and passionate JDRF community.  I believe that supporting JDRF as a donor and volunteer is the best investment our family can make,” said Griffin.

JDRF celebrates Michelle Griffin’s decade of service to JDRF at every level of the organization—chapter, regional and national. She currently sits on the International Board of Directors, where she is the Chair of the Development Committee and serves on the Executive and Audit Committees. At home, she is an Executive Board member of the Greater Bay Area Chapter, where she is the Chair of the Nominating and Board Development committee. Locally, she has also served as a mentor to newly diagnosed families and a VP of Volunteer Engagement, and regionally as Regional Volunteer Leader for the West Region. “The silver lining of this disease has been the amazing and passionate JDRF community.  Our family believes that supporting JDRF is the best investment our family can make”.

ABOUT T1D
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and — at present — nothing you can do to get rid of it.

ABOUT JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF.

Media Contacts:
Christopher Rucas
212-479-7667
crucas@jdrf.org

Kristy Evans
212.859.7877
Email: kevans@jdrf.org