Rose is recognized for her years of commitment to, and support of JDRF

New York (July 11, 2018)— JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, celebrates Melinda Rose’s noteworthy contributions as a volunteer leader with the Huntsman Family Community Engagement Award.

The Huntsman Family Community Engagement Award recognizes volunteers who have made a positive impact in the lives of those living with type 1 diabetes, by creating connectivity to the larger JDRF community and empowering people to make a difference in their own lives. Rose’s highly impactful community engagement work, both with the Houston Gulf Coast Chapter and nationally, exemplifies an unwavering dedication to supporting JDRF’s vision of a world without T1D.

“We are delighted to recognize JDRF volunteer, Melinda Rose, for her steadfast commitment to JDRF and the T1D community,” explains Derek Rapp, JDRF President and CEO. “Serving as national chair of the JDRF Grassroots Leadership Team, Melinda’s work has been highly effectual in raising awareness among Members of Congress and support from our Federal Government. She is a valued volunteer throughout the entire organization.”

Rose has been active with JDRF since 1992, holding multiple national and local leadership roles. During her time as national chair of the JDRF Grassroots Leadership Team, Rose rallied hundreds of thousands of volunteers to secure hundreds of millions of dollars for T1D research through the Special Diabetes Program. Through her strong presence on social media, Rose has brought people together creating a sense of camaraderie and shared enthusiasm around our research progress and mobilization efforts. Rose has led by example using this powerful platform to advocate for the T1D community, and empowering others to use their voices to do the same.

When hurricanes and severe flooding ravaged our Southern coastlines in the fall of 2017, Rose worked day and night to assess the needs of the community, and to reach out to her extensive network to develop timely solutions for transporting T1D provisions to unreachable places. With an understanding of the gravity of the situation, she urged the T1D community to send supplies and was a strong voice encouraging JDRF to do all it could to support Insulin for Life and other organizations that were coordinating rescue efforts. Rose’s thoughtfulness and quick actions, as well as her ability to motivate others into action, is widely admired at JDRF.

JDRF recognizes and appreciates all of the dedicated volunteers and supporters who commit their lives to the worldwide effort to end T1D. Volunteer Award recipients were recognized at the annual JDRF One Conference.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF

Media Contact:

Ayana Young
212.859.7895
media@jdrf.org