JDRF Illinois is thrilled to welcome back Jim Robinson, president, Astellas Americas, as the 2016 One Dream Gala Honorary Corporate Chair.

Jim, a Chicago native, accepted the role of Honorary Corporate Chair for the 2015 One Dream Gala after meeting then-chair Michael Alter at a Young President Organization meeting, in which they are both involved. When Michael shared his personal story about living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with Jim, it resonated immediately. Jim had a vivid personal experience with the disease that shaped his passion for healthcare. During a baseball game when Jim was young, the father of a close childhood friend had a sudden seizure and was later diagnosed with T1D. Jim remembers his own father pitching in to support by driving his friend to dialysis appointments later in life and how much that meant to him.

When Jim was introduced to the JDRF One Dream Gala last year, it was life-changing. Walking into the event with thousands of people and hundreds of volunteers so passionately committed to a cause moved him deeply, as he felt the palpable energy, passion and hope that Michael shared during their first conversation.

After a successful Gala in 2015, Jim felt driven to do even more in 2016. While considering candidates to be his successor, Jim decided that he wanted to remain in the role and make a bigger impact. A recent diagnosis of a good friend’s child (coincidentally days after he had personally shared his experience of working with JDRF with him) solidified his commitment.

Astellas’ support of JDRF has also made a profound impact on Jim, as the outpouring of emails from employees thanking him for his leadership and sharing their personal connection to T1D. The Northbrook, Illinois-based pharmaceutical company shares common core values with JDRF to improve the health and well-being of people all over the world.