JDRF Announces New Name: Breakthrough T1D

JDRF, the leading type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, today announced it has new name: Breakthrough T1D.

According to statement, the new name was shared during the group’s annual Government Day, held in Washington, DC, and simulcast to members worldwide.

“Breakthrough T1D was selected following a rigorous, data-informed process because it more accurately conveys the non-profit’s ability to connect with and work on behalf of the entire type 1 diabetes community,” the group said in its statement.

T1D is an autoimmune disease that causes the pancreas to make little or no insulin. It was once viewed as a condition that could only be diagnosed in childhood; in fact, the name JDRF was derived from the group’s original name, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which was founded in 1970 by families of children living with T1D.

The disease was known at that time as “juvenile diabetes,” but as researchers and patients now know, T1D can develop at any age, regardless of family history. About half of those newly diagnosed are adults. Approximately 1.25 million people in the United States have T1D.

Aaron J. Kowalski, PhD | Image credit: Breakthrough T1D

“For more than half a century, our organization has been at the forefront of type 1 diabetes research and advocacy. It is an honor to be CEO at this breakthrough moment as the organization takes a name that more accurately reflects our community and priorities,” Aaron J. Kowalski, PhD, CEO of Breakthrough T1D, said in the statement. “As an adult and scientist living with type 1 diabetes, I believe our new name, Breakthrough T1D, will help to deepen engagement and support across the entire community as we drive toward curing type 1 diabetes.”

Breakthrough T1D will convey the group’s leadership and commitment to “accelerating scientific discovery, therapeutic development, and access to treatments and therapies” for those with T1D, the statement said.

“Our new name, Breakthrough T1D, puts our mission front and center. To accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications,” Pam Morrisroe, chief marketing officer of Breakthrough T1D, said in the statement.

Morrisroe said the new branding was developed through a 2-year, data-driven process in partnership with Siegel+Gale.

“For more than 50 years, Breakthrough T1D has invested in research to improve the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes and has moved the needle forward on finding cures,” said Sanjoy Dutta, PhD, Breakthrough T1D chief scientific officer. “The field has experienced many breakthroughs thanks in large part to the leadership and support from our organization, including Tzield, the first FDA-approved disease-modifying therapy for type 1 diabetes which delays the onset of clinical T1D for 2 years or more.”

Breakthrough T1D has also been instrumental in advocating for better access to care. The group's work to highlight the deadly consequences of expensive insulin forced companies to make lower-cost insulins available and contributed to the adoption of provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 a month.