Contact:
Casey Fielder
509-939-7767
media@jdrf.org

Annual event brings Washington D.C. real estate community together for friendly competition and fundraising

WASHINGTON D.C., June 1, 2023 — The 34th annual JDRF Real Estate Games held today at American University in Washington, D.C. brings nearly 100 teams from the area’s leading commercial real estate businesses together to raise funds for JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization. Competing in dozens of Olympic-style sporting events throughout the day, top brokers, property managers, developers, and industry leaders raised more than $800,000, demonstrating the industry’s steadfast commitment to ending T1D.  

The JDRF Real Estate Games have become one of the top commercial real estate events of the year, thanks to strong volunteer leadership. The 2023 Washington D.C. event is led by a committed team of professionals, including Honorary Chair Paul Schulman, principal & chief operating officer of American Real Estate Partners (AREP), and co-chairs Brian Alvarez of MOI, Robin McConnell of AREP, and Samantha Suehiro of Chicago Title Insurance Company. 

“AREP has a long-standing commitment to community service, and the JDRF Real Estate Games continues to be a signature part of our CSR programming,” said Schulman. “The games are a best-in-class event that allow us to fundraise for a great cause, strengthen our teams and connect with industry peers. I’m proud of how the commercial real estate community rallies for this annual event, and I’m excited to help push the bar on fundraising to ensure this year’s Real Estate Games is another high-impact event.” 

“We are grateful to the commercial real estate community for its ongoing engagement with JDRF and dedication to helping us achieve our goals in support of those who live with type one diabetes every day,” said Jaclyn Toll, JDRF Mid-Atlantic Chapter executive director. “We are honored to have Paul as the 2023 Honorary Chair. His visionary leadership, commitment to philanthropy and partnerships with nonprofits in the community make him the ideal person to serve in this capacity. Additionally, we are grateful to have Brian, Robin, and Samantha serve as co-chairs alongside Paul. They have all brought dedication, passion and their network together to make the 2023 games a success.” 

The JDRF Real Estate Games is an annual volunteer-led fundraiser within the commercial real estate industry founded in 1990 by Adam Singer, vice chairman of Savills and a director emeritus of the JDRF International Board of Directors. Since inception, the JDRF Real Estate Games have become a longstanding tradition that has raised over $9 million for life changing T1D research.   

About JDRF  

JDRF’s mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.5 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 and globally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a global 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 five 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), Facebook (@myjdrf), and Instagram (@jdrfhq). 

About Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) 

T1D is an autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make very little insulin or none at all. This leads to dependence on insulin therapy and the risk of short or long-term complications, which can include highs and lows in blood sugar; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death if left untreated. Globally, it impacts nearly 9 million people. Many believe T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, but diagnosis in adulthood is common and accounts for nearly 50% of all T1D diagnoses. The onset of T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D.  

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