Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide on a daily basis. Type-1 diabetes, sometimes called “juvenile-onset diabetes” is the most rare of the two kinds, accounting for about 5-10% of cases according to the CDC.
One of the leading advocates for Type-1 diabetes research is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or JDRF.
JDRF was founded in 1970 by a group of parents determined to find a cure for their children with T1D. Nearly fifty years later, JDRF still works hard to fund research and advocate for government support of new research and therapies. To date they have donated more than $2 million towards research and made significant advancements in fighting and understanding the disease.
The North Florida division of JDRF is actively involved in hosting a multitude of fundraisers in the North Florida area, and most recently they partnered with local Ponte Vedra wine bar Coastal Wine Market.
Throughout the month of November co-owners of Coastal Wine Market Steve and Shaun Lourie sold tickets for a fundraising raffle. The tickets were $10 each and bought participants an opportunity to win a new bottle of 2017 Opus One, an exclusive vintage from Napa Valley.
The winner was selected from the raffle by Brooks Biagini, a representative from the JDRF North Florida chapter. Sales from the raffle allowed Coastal Wine Market to donate $1,500 towards T1D research and the JDRF nonprofit.
Recently, the Louries’ nephew Maxwell Leuthe was diagnosed with T1D. At just 11 years old, Max was forced to deal with the reality of his new disease. As an aspiring baseball star, Max quickly learned how to work with his disease and not allow it to stop him from missing a single practice.
“He taught himself how to monitor his blood-sugar levels, how to eat differently, and how to self-inject insulin, all while continuing to be the most positive and gentle soul,” said Lourie. “He is a true inspiration and rock star!”
JDRF has more fundraisers planned for the new year, all of which can be found on their website. To learn more about Coastal Wine Market and Maxwell’s story, visit their Facebook page.
