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Health & Fitness

New Baltimore native advocates for diabetes cure with the 28th Annual JDRF Promise Ball Gala

On May 3, 2013, JDRF will host its 28th Annual Promise Ball Gala, themed "Friday Night Live," at the MGM Grand in Detroit to help fund research toward finding a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

When New Baltimore native, Jean Jennings, Editor-in-Chief of Automobile Magazine, miraculously dropped 70 pounds from her 6-foot frame in a few months after quitting smoking, she wasn’t going to complain. Her active lifestyle of being the editor of a very prominent automobile publication meant her diet wasn’t great, she flew more than 10,000 per year and worked very long hours. If the weight came off that easily, why fight it?

She was thrilled with her new look until she went for her annual physical and was diagnosed with diabetes. Jean knew the routine as she had watched her father struggle with the disease for many years. 

Her health spiraled out of control, weight gain, temporary vision loss and a host of other complications until she took control and began to get her life back. Jean began volunteering with JDRF to advocate and raise awareness for a cure.

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In support of the upcoming Promise Ball on May 3, Jean shared her story in hopes of helping the more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults—approximately 80 people per day—who are diagnosed with T1D in the U.S. 

On May 3, 2013, JDRF will host its 28th Annual Promise Ball Gala, themed “Friday Night Live,” at the MGM Grand in Detroit to help fund research toward finding a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Since 2005, the Promise Ball Gala has raised more than $4 million to help find a cure for T1D.

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As many as three million Americans may have type 1 diabetes and each year, more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults—approximately 80 people per day—are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the U.S. The rate of type 1 diabetes incidence among children under the age of 14 is estimated to increase by 3% annually worldwide. www.JDRFMichiganEast.org

The evening’s Honorary Chairs are Executive Vice President & Regional President of East Michigan for Huntington National Bank, Mike Fezzey and his wife Suzy. Jean Jennings, President and Editor-in-Chief of Automobile Magazine will emcee the event, and the 2013 Promise Award Recipients, Thomas and Jacqueline McInerney of Bloomfield Hills will be honored for their outstanding dedication and support in helping the JDRF Metro Detroit & Southeast Michigan Chapter achieve its goals. 

This black-tie optional event begins with a silent auction, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner prepared by MGM Grand Detroit’s Executive Chef. The night also includes a live auction, and the music of Intrigue will keep the party going with dancing at the conclusion of dinner.

Attendees also will have the opportunity to participate in the event’s Fund A Cure “auction of passion” paddle bids following the live auction. Donations made during “Fund A Cure” are 100 percent tax deductible, and all proceeds support research for JDRF’s Artificial Pancreas Project.

JDRF has made the development of an artificial pancreas a research priority because this device has the potential to revolutionize diabetes care and support the effectiveness of the other cure therapeutics now being investigated by JDRF-funded scientists across the globe. www.JDRFMichiganEast.org. For those who are unable to attend Promise Ball, donations to Fund a Cure can still be entered online at www.JDRFMichiganEast.org.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.

Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.7 billion to diabetes research. Past JDRF efforts have helped to significantly advance the care of people with this disease and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.

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