The JDRF Wisconsin Chapter is honored to present Jerry Baier with the 2022 Community Volunteer Award! The Community Volunteer Award recognizes chapter volunteers whose contributions of time and talent have significantly impacted their local community and advanced JDRF’s mission of improving lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications.

“We’ve always been powered by our incredible volunteers—all of whom are T1D Changemakers,” said Craig Robertson, JDRF Vice President, Field Development. “We take great pride in celebrating all of the devoted individuals who every single day are affecting positive change for members of the T1D community.”

When asked why he volunteers with JDRF, Jerry said; “I volunteer at JDRF because of my son and his family.  Our family journey with diabetes began almost thirty years ago when my son Jeremy was diagnosed with T1D, and took several more turns when Jeremy’s sons Jaxton and Jameson were also diagnosed with T1D.  I knew nothing about diabetes at the time of Jeremy’s diagnosis, but quickly learned that you can neither ignore nor fight it — the best you can do is to manage the condition as well as you can.  That is not to say that you cannot beat it, and that is where JDRF comes in.  They fund research with the goal of improving life with T1D — and the ultimate goal of curing T1D!”

“Jerry is a passionate ambassador of the Wisconsin JDRF Chapter, having served on our board of directors, corporate development, golf committee and most recently, his family was honored as our Gala Honorees in 2020 and again in 22021 when our gala had to be moved to a virtual setting. Even when times got tough these past two years, Jerry was steadfast in his pursuit for funding, sharing his T1D story with all those who would listen. Just in the last two years alone, Jerry helped impact more than $200,000 in gala fundraising. Thank you Jerry for all you do in support of your son Jeremy, and your two grandsons, Jaxton and Jameson, all those living with T1D.” said Tanya Bissen, Executive Director.

JDRF Wisconsin recognizes and appreciates all of the dedicated volunteers and supporters who commit their lives to the worldwide effort to end T1D. Volunteer award recipients will be recognized during National Volunteer Week, April 17th-23rd.

To learn more about volunteering at JDRF, please visit https://www.jdrf.org/community/volunteer/.