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Why
sponsor the Lightning Run®
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The
impact of diabetes
Right now, there are 20.8 million men, women and children in the
United States with diabetes. More than 250,000 of them are right
here in Minnesota — and the number is growing. Diabetes affects
every aspect of one's life. Those with type 1— the most severe
form — must rely on frequent blood glucose checks and insulin
injections. In some cases, diabetes can lead to heart disease,
stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness and even amputation.
Bringing
new hope through research
At the University of Minnesota, researchers with the Diabetes
Institute for Immunology and Transplantation (DIIT) are making
major strides in the pursuit of a cure. By transplanting insulin-producing
cells — or an entire pancreas — they're bringing new
hope to diabetics here and around the world.
In
early 2006, DIIT researchers announced results of a study that
showed they were able to reverse diabetes in monkeys by transplanting
insulin-producing cells from pigs. It's a major breakthrough,
but there's much more to be done.
How
your support makes a difference
Since 2000, the Lightning Run® — Bikers Rally Against
Diabetes has grown into a major Twin Cities event, generating
more than $1.2 million, which has provided direct, critical support
for the Diabetes Institute of Immunology and Transplantation and
its innovative, life-changing work. Last year, thousands of participants,
sponsors and volunteers raised more than $200,000 for the cause.
This year, we're aiming to do even more.
Help
us support the DIIT in its quest for a cure. Your sponsorship
of the Lightning Run could help change someone's life — forever.
David Sutherland, M.D., Ph.D. 
Director, Diabetes Institute for Immunology and
Transplantation
Dr. Sutherland is a surgeon, researcher, professor and a respected
colleague to thousands worldwide. In 1974, he performed the world’s
first transplant of insulin-producing islet cells from a deceased
human donor to a living person. He has routinely offered whole-organ
pancreas transplantation since 1978, and has trained the vast
majority of the surgeons performing this procedure worldwide.
Dr. Sutherland performed the world's first living-donor pancreas
transplant in 1979. He and his team continue to perform more of
these complex surgeries than any other program worldwide, offering
the potential of a higher quality of life for patients facing
severe health issues from diabetes and pancreatitis.
Bernhard Hering, M.D. 
Associate Director, Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation
Dr. Hering is widely regarded as a leader in experimental and
clinical islet transplantation and is credited with doing pioneering
work in refining the process of isolating islet cells from the
pancreas. In February 2006, he and his colleagues produced evidence
that it's possible to reverse diabetes in monkeys by transplanting
islet cells from pigs. This accomplishment could be a turning
point for future diabetes treatments, as it holds the potential
for providing a virtually endless supply of healthy islet cells
to replace the ones that don’t work in diabetics. The next
step is human clinical trials.
Want
to know more?
