This May, at the 25th anniversary Hope Gala, the Georgia Chapter is pleased to recognize Shirley Borenstein with the 2020 Barbara and Duke Roos Living and Giving Award for over 35 years of exceptional service to JDRF. Shirley was first introduced to JDRF when her grandson, Gus, was diagnosed with T1D at the age of three in 1981, and a few years later, his sister, Sara was also diagnosed with the disease. After spending a career working in cardiac research at Emory, Shirley retired in 1985 and began volunteering with the JDRF Georgia Chapter. Since then, she has inspired many with her unwavering leadership and support of JDRF and its mission. Shirley is responsible for many of the chapter’s early successful initiatives, including starting its “Sugar Show” education programs for children with diabetes, forming its Medical Advisory Committee, founding an Atlanta-based Grandparents Support Group, and serving on the Board for three decades.

While Borenstein has worked tirelessly for JDRF and has raised thousands of dollars for the cause over the course of 35 years – including leading a fundraiser this spring in conjunction with her award – at almost 100 years old, she isn’t ready to slow down. “I call diabetes ‘the biggest robber I know’ because it robs children of a carefree childhood. JDRF’s mission is to find a cure, and I will keep working towards that goal as long as they will let me.”

Please join us as we honor and congratulate Shirley Borenstein for the significant impact she has made on behalf of JDRF and its mission to eradicate T1D.

The Barbara and Duke Roos Living and Giving Award is the most prestigious honor that an individual, couple, or family can receive from the Georgia Chapter. The recipients embody the spirit of JDRF and are at the core of what we fight to do every day: accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Past honorees include: Joan and Neal Allen, Kris Bagwell, Dr. Bruce Bode, Donna and Andy Cash, Carter and John Hipp, Jill and John Kampfe, Lisa and Todd Klumok, Paula and Jim McDonald, Penn and Net Payne, Andrea and John Pruitt, Debby and Jim Robbins, Barbara and Duke Roos, Laura and Rutherford Seydel and Barbara and Byron Williams.