My name is Lauren Rapaport and for the past 36 years, JDRF has been my support, my network, and my family. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 1979. I was three.

This year, I will have the honor of serving as the 2015 DC Hope Gala co-chair alongside my mom, Barbara Rapaport. We are so grateful for this opportunity to give back to an organization who has given us so much. JDRF has allowed us to connect with so many wonderful families, like yours!  So let’s band together and make the gala a success this year!

The gala will take place on November 7^th at the National Building Museum in DC. This year, we will be honoring Mrs. Amy Meltzer and her son, Mr. Mark Meltzer who has lived with T1D for 25 years.  It will be an extraordinary event, attended by more than 650 community members, representing some of our region’s leading business, civic, and cultural leaders. In addition to unique live and silent auctions, the event will also feature cocktails, a seated dinner, dancing and live entertainment by a band called “Blame It on Jane” featuring Jane Adams who has had T1D for 35 years.

Thanks to JDRF, I have witnessed vast improvements in blood sugar management in the 36 years since my diagnosis. In 1979, urine testing was our only option, now we have improved home blood testing devices and a continuous glucose monitor, which monitors my blood sugars wirelessly. While this technology has been life-changing, it is not enough. With your help, we are looking at future advances such as the artificial pancreas, encapsulated beta cells, and smart insulin. This is why the Hope Gala is so important- and we need your help!

You can support the gala in a number of ways:

• Purchase tickets, sponsor a table or help us connect with a company who would like to sponsor. More information on tickets and sponsorship is available here.
• Contribute to Fund A Cure, a 100% tax deductible donation that goes directly to T1D research. (Please don’t forget to use any available corporate matching programs).
• Start a “JoinMe” campaign to encourage others to donate to Fund A Cure. For more information contact Emily Boynton at eboynton@jdrf.org.
• Procure or donate an item for the auction. Please think about who you know and what businesses you frequent.  Could you help us get a once in the lifetime experience? Backstage passes?  Sports tickets?  Or, even a gift card to a wonderful restaurant?  For more information contact Liz Wenrich at ewenrich@jdrf.org.

We can’t thank you enough for your support and hope to see you at the Gala this year!

If you have questions about how you can become more involved please feel free to reach out to the Gala Manager, Serena Houle at shoule@jdrf.org.