T1D FACTS
About T1D
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing you can do to get rid of it.
Whom T1D Affects
Type 1 diabetes strikes both children and adults at any age. It comes on suddenly, causes dependence on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications.
How T1D is Managed
Living with T1D is a constant challenge. People with the disease must carefully balance insulin doses (either by injections multiple times a day or continuous infusion through a pump) with eating and other activities throughout the day and night. They must also measure their blood-glucose level by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times a day. Despite this constant attention, people with T1D still run the risk of dangerous high or low blood-glucose levels, both of which can be life threatening. People with T1D overcome these challenges on a daily basis.
Insulin Is Not a Cure
While insulin injections or infusion allow a person with T1D to stay alive, they do not cure the disease, nor do they necessarily prevent the possibility of the disease’s serious effects, which may include: kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, heart attack, stroke, and pregnancy complications.
Statistics
- As many as three million Americans may have T1D.
- Each year, more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults—approximately 80 people per day—are diagnosed with T1D in the U.S.
- The prevalence of T1D in Americans under age 20 rose by 23 percent between 2001 and 2009.
- The rate of T1D incidence among children under age 14 is estimated to increase by three percent annually worldwide.
- T1D accounts for $14.9 billion in healthcare costs in the U.S. each year.
Warning Signs
Warning signs of T1D may occur suddenly and can include:
Extreme thirst, frequent urination, drowsiness or lethargy, increased appetite, sudden weight loss, sudden vision changes, fruity odor on the breath
About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D.
Our investments are supporting the development of next-generation therapies like artificial pancreas technology, beta cell encapsulation, smart insulin that can turn on and off in response to blood sugar levels and, ultimately, methods for curing and preventing T1D.
- JDRF is the leading global organization funding T1D research with more than 100 U.S. locations and 6 international affiliates.
- Since inception, JDRF has contributed over $1.9B to T1D research and including $98M in 2014.
- JDRF is currently funding 45 human clinical trials of potential T1D therapies.
- Approximately 80% of JDRF expenditures directly support T1D research and research-related education
