Fund a Cure - The True Spirit of Philanthropy
Driven by the hopes, dreams and unwavering resolve of the founders and the thousands of volunteers who have followed in their footsteps, JDRF has become the world's largest funder of type 1 diabetes science, and a leader in setting the agenda for type 1 diabetes worldwide.
In keeping with JDRF tradition, there will be a point following our live auction, when the room is stilled and the story of hope unfolds; we call this special time our Fund A Cure. During Fund A Cure, you will have the opportunity to raise your bid paddles and make a 100% tax deductible donation going directly to type 1 diabetes research.
During Fund A Cure, our auctioneer will call out funding levels of $50,000, $25,000, $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, $500, $250, $100. Raise your bid card when you hear the amount at which you wish to make a 100% tax-deductible contribution to vital research. During this portion of the evening, donors contributing $1000 or more receive a collectible, special edition Fund A Cure bear as a token of our appreciation! And remember, if your company has a matching gift program, you can double your contribution!
To make a donation to Fund A Cure online please click here
2011 Fund A Cure Bear - Rachel
Once again, our Fund A Cure bears have been generously sponsored by TELUS, and this year named after a very special young woman named Rachel. Rachel is the youngest daughter of Catherine and Joel Kohm, and was diagnosed with diabetes over 20 years ago at the age of 13. Her mother Catherine tells us with pride that Rachel took to diabetes just like she took to everything, incredibly disciplined and responsible. From the very beginning, she managed with competence all the routines, injections and blood tests that are so familiar to those living with diabetes. Rachel always told her mother that given a choice she would not want to give up her diabetes because she learned so much from the disease and it was such an integral part of her.
Catherine, upon moving to Vancouver, took on the leadership role of the JDRF BC Chapter's grass roots advocacy program. She welcomed and encouraged advocates to write letters and lobby their government officials. She played an integral part of JDRF BC's advocacy efforts and was thrilled when the BC government announced in 2009 that funding would be provided for insulin pumps to children under 18 years of age. Subsequently, the Canadian Government announced their $33 million dollar partnership with JDRF to create the JDRF Canadian Clinical Trials Network! This partnership would not have been possible without the help of advocates like Catherine, and hundreds of others across Canada, who strongly believe that continued advocacy assists with funding of the much needed research to find a cure.
Catherine's passion and love for Rachel is obvious in the volunteer work she does with JDRF. She continues to volunteer with the JDRF BC Chapter, and more recently started speaking at various events to share Rachel's story of hope. We are thrilled to name our 2011 Fund A Cure bear "Rachel" in her honour and in recognition of her mother's tireless efforts to spread her passion for diabetes advocacy and awareness, and ultimately find a cure.
You can share in this passion to raise awareness and find a cure by making a Fund A Cure donation. 100% of your donation goes directly to research that will accelerate the cure for diabetes.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to JDRF.
A very special thank you to our donors in 2010 making donations of $10,000 or more...
Nat & Flora Bosa
Roland Susko& Tracy Cameron
Dan McLeod & Yolanda Stepien
Ian & Louise Mummery
Sandy Russell
Bill & Kelly Vance
Wim& Rose Vander Zalm
Boston Pizza Foundation
Christopher Foundation
TELUS
Larry & Carol Hagan
Cathie Sabiston
Past Fund A Cure Bears
2010 Ballance Family Bear: ShelaghBallance is the proud mother of four children, three of which live with type 1 diabetes. Tyler diagnosed at age 2, Ashley diagnosed at age 7, and Maddox diagnosed at age 4. Thankfully brother Brandon has not been effected by diabetes. Shelagh tells us that her one wish is, "To find a cure and one day have a normal life."
2009 Cody Bear: Cody, age 9, has no type 1 connection. He accepts donations in lieu of birthday gifts, holds fundraisers, and even donates a portion of his wage from his paper route to JDRF. Cody demonstrates the spirit of a true philanthropist.
2008 Sebastian Bear: On May 25, 2008, SebastienSasseville became the first Canadian living with type 1 diabetes to summit Mount Everest. He has also lead a group of type 1 teens on expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro & Everest Base camp. He was diagnosed at the age of 22 and is a true inspiration to the diabetes community.
2007 Keely Bear: In honour of Keely who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the young age of 14 months.
2006 Hazel Bear: In honour of Hazel who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 3.
2005 Taylor & Stephen Bears: In honour of Taylor who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 18 months, and in honour of Stephen who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 7.
2004 Tommy Bear: In honour of Thomas who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 6.
2003 Matt Bear: In honour of Matthew who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13.
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