The Bradys, who were honored at JDRF’s 2018 Hope Gala, will match gifts up to $100,000 made to JDRF’s Piedmont Triad Chapter by June 30, 2018

Greensboro, North Carolina, June 14, 2018 ­– Civic leaders and philanthropists Mary Gay and Don Brady have issued a Triad-wide challenge: They will match all gifts, up to $100,000, made to JDRF’s Piedmont Triad Chapter by June 30, 2018.

The Bradys, who served as the 2018 JDRF Hope Gala Honorees, kicked off the event on February 24 with a $100,000 gift, igniting the other 1,000 attendees to make contributions that resulted in a record-breaking $1.3 million raised for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. At the end of the evening, the Bradys surprised the crowd with their announcement of the $100K Brady Challenge. “After witnessing the incredible generosity of the other Gala guests, we decided—on the spur of the moment—to do more,” said Don Brady, Chairman of Greensboro-based Brady Services and longtime JDRF supporter.

To date, Gala attendees have contributed approximately $35,000 toward the challenge.

Now, Mary Gay and Don are taking the $100K Brady Challenge public. All funds raised as a result of this challenge will go directly to support research to cure, treat, and prevent T1D.

“We’re more than one-third of the way to our goal,” Don said. “This cause is very important to our family, and we don’t want to leave any money on the table. It’s time for an all-out blitz!”

Although Don and Mary Gay had been generous supporters of JDRF for years, the fight against T1D became deeply personal for them in June of 2017. That’s when their then-17-year-old grandson, Paul Farley, was diagnosed with the disease, and they began learning firsthand about the challenges of T1D. Paul, who recently graduated from Bishop McGuinness High School and is headed to UNC-Wilmington this fall, is dealing with a 24/7 autoimmune disease. His pancreas has stopped producing insulin, which is necessary for turning food into energy—and essential for life. Paul’s new normal includes insulin injections, blood-sugar monitoring, and sleepless nights. There are no days off, and there is no cure.

But there is hope. JDRF is funding life-changing research breakthroughs to remove the overwhelming daily burden of this disease—until it no longer exists.

Thanks to the Bradys’ generosity, the impact of all contributions (up to $100,000) made to JDRF’s Piedmont Triad Chapter by June 30, 2018, will be doubled!

Individuals and businesses may participate in the Brady $100K Challenge in three ways:

• Sending a check to JDRF, 216 W. Market Street, Suite B, Greensboro, NC 27401;
• Calling the JDRF office at 336-373-1768; or
• Making a secure online donation at com/BradyJDRFChallenge.

About Type 1 Diabetes: 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.  jdrf.org or @JDRF on Twitter

About JDRF – Piedmont Triad Chapter: Covering 15 North Carolina counties, the Piedmont Triad Chapter provides support for those living with type 1 diabetes and raises funds for T1D research through a variety of events, including its annual Hope Gala; One Walks in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Alamance County, and High Point; and the Ride to Cure Diabetes. facebook.com/jdrftriad  or @JDRFtriad on Twitter