what we do
research program
Diabetes Action has provided grants to hundreds of researchers at universities and medical institutions across the United States. In addition to funding research to cure diabetes with gene therapies, immunotherapy, and beta cell transplantation, Diabetes Action funds research on nutrition and research to treat and prevent complications. Diabetes Action has funded innovative type 1 and type 2 diabetes studies that include:
Cure of type 1 diabetes using a generic drug
Massachusetts General HospitalCinnamon and chromium antioxidant studies
USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research CenterAcupuncture for treating neuropathy
Harvard Medical SchoolPrecision biologics for the treatment of type 1 diabetes
Albert Einstein College of Medicine3D bioprinting for fabrication of pancreatic devices
Penn State UniversityNovel Immunotherapy to treat diabetes-induced kidney failure
University of Maryland School of MedicineManuka honey to improve diabetic wound healing
Saint Louis University
send a kid to diabetes camp
Diabetes Action provided funding to 52 separate camp programs across the United States in 2024. These camps combine the fun of swimming, horseback riding, tennis, and other enriching activities with nutritional and lifestyle education in a nurturing environment that helps children to learn how to be healthy and thrive while having diabetes.
These special camps empower kids with diabetes to live active lives and teaches them that they can believe in themselves and never stop reaching for their dreams despite their disease. As one camper expressed, “Camp is my happy place that I call home - I can’t thank you enough for helping”.
Another camper stated, “Camp has become my second home. Diabetes is definitely a struggle but camp has taught me so much and I’ve learned to accept myself and this life changing disease; without you that would not be possible”.
Without financial assistance many children would not be able to take advantage of this life-changing opportunity, and we are grateful that we can help make it possible to fulfill the dreams of so many children.
American indian diabetes prevention program
In 2023, the Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP), with support from Diabetes Action, was able to resume a full schedule of health and wellness programming for youth ages 4 to 18. CRYP, located on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, celebrated its 35th anniversary serving the community in its efforts to reduce diabetes among its population. The successful teen internship program also celebrated the accomplishment of graduating nearly 2,000 interns over the past 10 years. Interns at the organic Winyan Toka Win Garden harvested over 11,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables in the 2023 growing season. This healthy bounty was shared with elders and many others in the Cheyenne River community. Teen interns worked on promoting diabetes prevention by holding basketball and workout sessions at the teen center gym and by taking classes on nutrition and healthy cooking.