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

Annual event brings New York real estate community together for friendly competition and fundraising 

NEW YORK, June 15, 2023 — The annual JDRF Real Estate Games held today at Chelsea Piers in New York brings 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.  

Sixteen teams are part of this year’s JDRF Real Estate Games, facing off in a variety of events, such as dodgeball, basketball, rock climbing and more. As the competition kicks off in the afternoon, top brokers, property managers, developers and industry leaders have already raised more than $275,000. Since 2016, the New York City JDRF Real Estate Games have raised more than $1.7 million, 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 from within the industry. The 2023 New York event is led by a committed team of professionals, including Chair James Whelan, president of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and New York event founder. 

“The JDRF Real Estate Games are a win-win, as participating teams can build camaraderie between colleagues and industry peers during the event while raising much needed funds in the fight to manage and cure type 1 diabetes,” said Whelan. “This is yet another example of the real estate industry playing a critical philanthropic role. Thanks to all the event sponsors, participants and organizers who make the Games a success.” 

“The real estate industry is a philanthropic powerhouse,” said Mimi K. Crabtree, executive director of the JDRF Greater New York City Chapter. “We are proud to partner with over 40 companies to raise significant funds for type 1 diabetes research and to support the type 1 diabetes community.”  

The JDRF Real Estate Games is an annual volunteer-led fundraiser within the commercial real estate industry founded in 1990 in Washington D.C. 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 expanded to new cities and 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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