JDRF Coastal Carolina Chapter has received a new name as part of a broader effort to streamline operations so that we can do more to support our community. We are now the Wilmington Market of the Triangle/Eastern NC Chapter, based in Raleigh.

As we joined forces with the team Raleigh, we transitioned from a brick-and-mortar office to work-from-home positions in January 2020 to coincide with the expiration of our current lease at 1015 Ashes Drive Suite 101.

These changes have enabled us to continue supporting our local community while ensuring we are driving more funding toward research for a cure and improving lives.

What does this mean to you, our local T1D families, volunteers, sponsors, and donors?

In short, it means continued support! You are still:

• part of a visible, active JDRF presence here in Wilmington and our nine surrounding counties.
• led by a local JDRF Board of Directors.
• able to reach out to JDRF staff living in the community and have access to the staff in Raleigh (see bios below).
• supported by Outreach efforts such as our established OV program, Youth Ambassador program, Bag of Hope program, Type One Nation Summits, family events, and more.
• able to participate in our quality fundraising events.

Thank you for being part of our community and the JDRF family, and for continuing to be part of our commitment to ensuring a strong, productive presence here in the Cape Fear Region.

We look forward to a continued partnership with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or suggestions.

Sarah Cunningham, Executive Director – 919-847-2630 – scunningham@jdrf.org
Lindsey Brown, Development Manager – 910-685-0901 – lbrown@jdrf.org
Dalene Bickel, Development Coordinator – 910-945-8218 – dbickel@jdrf.org

About Our Staff

Lindsey Brown
Development Manager
Wilmington Market, JDRF Triangle/Eastern NC Chapter

Lindsey and her husband Eric relocated to Wilmington, NC in September of 2016. Prior to the move, Lindsey worked eight years for the Charlotte Knights, Triple AAA Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox as the Community & Team Relations Director. Lindsey has a passion for helping others and knew she wanted to continue her work working within the community, which lead to her joining the JDRF Team. Lindsey’s connection to Type 1 is all of the families she has come to know and develop relationships with over the past couple of years. In her free time, you can find Lindsey at the baseball field where her husband is the head coach of the Laney Bucs Baseball Team or spending time with her dog, Sinker.

Dalene Bickel
Development Coordinator
Wilmington Market, JDRF Triangle/Eastern NC Chapter

A resident of the Wilmington area, Dalene Bickel’s introduction to JDRF occurred when her oldest child was diagnosed with T1D on January 15, 2009. She immediately became involved as a volunteer, which led her to later becoming the Outreach Chair for several years. She also served two terms on the local Board of Directors before beginning her part-time staff position as Development Assistant in June 2018. In tandem with her position at JDRF, Dalene operates a writing and editing business (Lasting Legacies) and previously worked as a freelance editor for independent and university presses. In her free time, Dalene enjoys exercising, trying new things, and spending time with her boys.

Sarah Cunningham
Executive Director
JDRF Triangle/Eastern NC Chapter

Sarah Cunningham was diagnosed at age 6 with Type 1 diabetes. Her family quickly became involved with JDRF and started participating in the JDRF Walk. Since then Sarah has been involved in many events over the years as a volunteer, a participant, and for the past 10 years, a JDRF staff member. Sarah graduated from NC State with a degree in Business and shortly after started her JDRF career in the Greater Western Carolina’s Chapter in Charlotte. In 2015 Sarah moved back to Raleigh and joined the Triangle/Eastern NC Chapter where she resides with her dog Duke. Sarah’s family has a house in Wilmington where she grew up visiting and is looking forward to getting to know the community and working towards finding a cure.