“When this disease attacks someone you love you really have only two choices. You can do nothing, or you can do everything in your power to help them live a long relatively normal life,” says Jim Horalek. He has been involved with JDRF for over 17 years, ever since his daughter, Kendall, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the age of two. He brings more than 25 years of practical business experience in numerous leadership roles, primarily in sales and marketing. He is currently the Director of Government Sales with Jive Communications after seven years at Cisco Systems as the Director of the California Public Sector Sales Operation.

Over the years, Jim has been passionately active with JDRF in various roles including VP of Nominating, VP of Fundraising, VP of Corporate Development, VP of Strategy, President of the East Bay Branch Board, and twice serving as President of the Greater Bay Area Chapter Executive Board. Now, as VP of Board Development, Jim says, “My goal is to align Board Development with the Chapter growth strategy, fill all critical Executive Board positions and ensure all Board Members are clear on the expectations affiliated with their roles.”

“Of course I’m all about the ultimate cure,” Jim says. “However in the meantime I’m most interested in the therapies that will help keep Kendall healthy and make it easier for her to manage her day to day life. I’m very excited about the research around Smart Insulin and Encapsulation.”

Jim often reflects on what that ultimate cure would mean to his daughter and the millions of others affected by T1D. “A cure would mean Kendall could live her life without fear of the inevitable highs and lows. It would mean she could get in her car for a short road trip and not worry about her blood sugar. It would mean she could sit down to take a test and be able to concentrate without anxiety and with clarity of mind. It would mean she could go to a party and not worry about getting home,” he says. “However, we would still make her call us every morning!” Jim and his wife Deneka live in Alamo, California, Kendall is now enjoying her sophomore year at Chico State University.