–—Shelley Page Recognized for Overwhelming Dedication—

New York, NY, July 29, 2014 — JDRF presented its annual Erwin Lurie Volunteer of the Year Award to Shelley Page for her leadership and outstanding contributions as a volunteer on behalf of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The award was given during a special ceremony at the 2014 One Walk Conference held in Washington, D.C.

“It is such an honor and privilege to present this very special award to Shelley. She has an unwavering perseverance in her commitment to JDRF, and is a dedicated advocacy volunteer leader that helps train and engage local leaders to get the job done,” said Larry Soler, JDRF’s international board of directors. “Shelley exemplifies the values of JDRF and shows incredible integrity and leadership. Like all of us, she is committed to the organization’s mission to one day remove T1D from all of our lives.”

Shelley became involved with JDRF when her daughter, Emma, now an adult, was diagnosed with T1D at the age of seven years old. After the diagnosis, Shelley connected to local families and organized the MinnDakotas Chapter. As the chapter’s first president she helped established the JDRF Walk at the Mall of America—which now is considered the largest JDRF walk in the country.

Shelley not only volunteers at the MinnDakotas Chapter, but is also a regional leader in the Outreach and Advocacy departments. She brings her professional and educational experience as a nurse to help chapters grow their outreach programs. In this role, she has been instrumental in helping chapters forge one of the most important staff and volunteer partnerships. Shelley recently assumed the lead to help organize and start the Chapter Board of Chancellors.

“It is such an honor to be recognized for this important award and I am so proud to be a part of the volunteer involvement that has long been a JDRF hallmark,” said Shelley Page. “I am grateful for JDRF and our mission to find a cure — it can’t come soon enough. Thank you for this recognition, it is a joy to work with such passionate, persistent, professional and caring people.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award is named after the late Erwin Lurie, who helped found JDRF in 1970 with wife Carol and others after his son was diagnosed with T1D at age 10. Up until Mr. Lurie’s death in 2009, and Mrs. Lurie’s death in 2013, they were dedicated advocates whose vision guided JDRF to becoming the largest charitable supporter of T1D research.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D. As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, JDRF is currently sponsoring $568 million in scientific research in 17 countries. For more information, please visit jdrf.org 

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Media Contact:
Christopher Rucas
212.479.7667 (office)
crucas@jdrf.org