—Laura Caponera Recognized for Her Astounding Commitment to Ending Type 1 Diabetes—

NEW YORK, June 16, 2017 – JDRF presented its annual Erwin Lurie Volunteer of the Year Award to Laura Caponera 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 2017 One Conference held in Chicago, Ill.

“It is such an honor and privilege to present this very special award to Laura. Since she began volunteering with JDRF, Laura has tapped into a deep current of compassion and generosity in her community in order to find a cure not only for her own daughter, but every other child out there with this disease,” said Derek Rapp, JDRF president and CEO. “Her passionate commitment to JDRF’s mission has benefitted the entire organization, most especially the Northeastern New York Chapter. She has been a powerful voice for the T1D community and a cherished colleague to JDRF volunteers and staff alike.”

Nearly 20 years ago, Laura established the JDRF Northeastern New York Chapter’s annual black-tie Gala after her daughter Kristen was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 8. Since then, Laura has led as chapter President and Vice President of Program Development, and she has served on both the Advocacy and Nominating Committee and the Board Development Committee.

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. The award recognizes the JDRF chapter volunteer whose commitment to partnering with JDRF staff has significantly advanced the organization’s mission and strategic priorities. 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 T1D
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and — at present — nothing you can do to get rid of it.

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 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:
Christopher Rucas
212-479-7667
crucas@jdrf.org

Kristy Evans
212.859.7877
Email: kevans@jdrf.org