Why Volunteer with JDRF?
JDRF was founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Today, volunteers at JDRF’s more than 100 locations worldwide remain the driving force behind the JDRF’s success in advancing research toward a cure. Because of their personal connection to T1D, JDRF’s volunteers have a passionate and unrelenting commitment to the JDRF mission.

The Young Leadership Committee (YLC)
The YLC is a group of young professionals dedicated to raising funds for and awareness of JDRF. The committee hosts various fundraising, networking, and social events that attract hundreds of young professionals between the ages of 21 and 36. Members of the YLC are asked to attend meetings where they are given the opportunity to take part in the inception, planning, and ultimately the success of several social functions throughout the year aimed at benefiting JDRF. Additionally, the committee hosts occasional networking and social gatherings to foster an environment of year-round involvement. For more information or to get involved, contact Katie Blaha at kblaha@jdrf.org

Advocacy
Sign up as an Advocate, you will receive emails on different ways you can let Congress know how important treating, curing and preventing T1D is to you! You can get involved from right where you are! JDRF Advocacy provides a unique opportunity for you to help JDRF take one step closer to treating, curing and preventing type 1 diabetes (T1D). View more ways to get involved in advocacy here!

Outreach Programs
Outreach is a critical program at JDRF, helping to connect newly diagnosed individuals and families with support and information on life with T1D. From the TypeOneNation Summit, Online Diabetes Support Team to family outreach volunteer programs and community health fairs, outreach volunteers share both information and hope in our local communities. Click here for more information, or to request an outreach volunteer.

Chapter Events
We have various events throughout the year that we call on our volunteers for. Without our volunteers, these events could not be possible. Our volunteers are the machines behind the scenes that make things happen! Each spring we have the JDRF One Walk, Baltimore, and each fall we have our an annual JDRF Hope Gala, and several other events in between. These are great volunteer opportunities to be right in the action helping to make a difference, all while meeting others in the T1D community!

Gala Auction Committee
For a behind the scenes look at the annual JDRF Hope Gala, join the Gala Auction committee and help make this year’s Gala (November 2nd) more successful than ever. As a committee member, you would help think of, find, and procure new and fun ideas to intrigue our guests and thank them for their support of T1D research.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Make a donation: Not only is your gift 100% tax-deductible, it will make a significant difference in the search for a cure. Whether a one-time gift or a major gift paid over 5 years, every gift brings us closer to a cure.

Apply for an Internship: JDRF Maryland Chapter interns are exposed to a wide variety of development practices and have a varied work experience.  In concert with the needs of the chapter, our program allows students to choose a facet of the organization that interests them and learn through hands-on experience. It is intended to provide knowledge, skills, and experience that each intern can apply to future challenges and professional pursuits.

Host an event: Hold your own event to raise funds for JDRF. Organize a softball game, cocktail party or garage sale with the proceeds benefiting JDRF. What better way to get the word out about the importance of diabetes research?

Get your company involved: Encourage your company to support JDRF by sponsoring an event, building a Walk team, donating an auction item to our Gala or by hosting an office dress-down day fundraiser. In addition, many companies generously offer workplace giving programs, matching gift or even doubling employee contributions.

Join the memorial and tribute program: Remember a loved one or celebrate a special occasion with a gift in memory or in honor of a loved one. Are you having a birthday or anniversary party? Encourage your guests to donate to JDRF in lieu of bringing gifts.

Spread the word: Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Let your friends, neighbors and co-workers know how important T1D research is to your family and you, and that you support JDRF. Remember that more than 80% of every dollar JDRF raises goes directly to critical diabetes research and research-related education.