JDRF’s innovative Zip the Cure campaign is aiming high in 2012, with a goal of raising $1 million for research toward curing, better treating, and preventing type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications. The innovative fundraising initiative allows people to sponsor a United States zip code for $50, either individually or as part of a group. Sponsors will “own” — and can even name — their sponsored zip code until January 1, 2013, with the option of renewing their sponsorship the following year. The goal is to raise $1 million in sponsored zip codes for 2012.

“Zip the Cure is an incredible example of the power of creative fundraising,” said Jennifer Fishkind, Director of Team JDRF. “It is a simple yet fun way to get people involved in JDRF’s cause. We have a ways to go before reaching our million-dollar goal this year, but we’re optimistic that together we will get there. We are excited to watch the United States map on the Zip the Cure website flood with blue as more sponsors join us.”

Zip the Cure is the brainchild of 17-year-old Monica Oxenreiter from Pittsburgh, PA, who at 13 months old was diagnosed with T1D — an autoimmune disease with no known cause or cure in which the body’s pancreas stops producing insulin. Monica’s brother, John, was diagnosed three years later at the age of eight. The siblings were both delegates of JDRF’s Children’s Congress in 2005, an event that further spurred their desire to help JDRF in its mission of supporting research toward curing T1D and its complications. Monica created the idea for Zip the Cure, and the campaign launched on World Diabetes Day, November 14, 2009. To date, Zip the Cure has already raised more than $98,000 for type 1 diabetes research.

To learn more about JDRF’s Zip the Cure campaign, and to sponsor your very own zip code, visit our Zip the Cure website.

To learn more about the JDRF Dallas chapter, visit our JDRF Dallas website!