On September 13, the East Bay will swing into action at Wente Vineyards in Livermore for the annual JDRF Summer Classic. The event will benefit JDRF and type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.

Each year since 2017 at the Summer Classic, JDRF presents the Impact Award to individuals or organizations who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to our mission of improving lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, treat, and prevent T1D and its complications. This year’s honoree, Abbott, was selected for their extraordinary commitment to JDRF and to the health and well-being of our community.

A global health care company dedicated to helping people live more fully at all stages of life, Abbott has been a valued partner of JDRF for 14 years. Abbott has supported JDRF at chapter events and through its annual Employee Giving Campaign. JDRF has received $150,000 to $200,000 annually from this global effort that has distributed over $5 million annually to more than 3,800 charities throughout the U.S. In addition to the generosity of Abbott employees, a portion of the amount given to JDRF comes from the Abbott Fund through their matching gift program. Abbott further supports JDRF’s mission by serving as a member of JDRF’s Industry Advisory Panel.

On a local level, Abbott has sponsored JDRF Bay Area social events and outreach events at various levels over the years. Since 2005, they have been a steadfast supporter of our Walk program as a sponsor and also as a Corporate Walk Team, including sneaker sales and matching gifts. In 2017 and 2018, Duncan Williams, DVP at Abbott, served as Corporate Chair for the East Bay One Walk, helping that Walk raise more than $500,000 each of those years. They have invited us into their corporate culture, holding Walk kick off events and including us at their Freestyle Libre launch rally and lunch in 2016. JDRF Bay Area has directly benefited from Abbott’s significant contributions. We are exceedingly grateful for their support of JDRF and our T1D community.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Its portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Their 103,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

About JDRF Summer Classic

Summer Classic will take place on September 13, 2019 and will mark the 14th anniversary of this fun and festive event hosted by JDRF. Starting with an amazing day of golf among the vines followed by an evening under the stars with cocktails and silent auction, presentation of the Impact Award, a gourmet dining experience and live auction, and culminating with blow out music and dancing under the stars. JDRF Summer Classic, previously known as Drive for the Cure, was founded in 2006 by Active Charity in partnership with JDRF. Since inception, this event has brought together committed volunteers and supportive members of the community, raising over $5 million for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. All proceeds from Summer Classic benefit JDRF. This event includes 144 Golf Classic golfers and more than 400 BackSwing Bash evening attendees from the Greater Bay Area, specifically the East Bay who are contributing and supportive members of the JDRF family and local community.