George mentioned in a recent post that he no longer supports the American Diabetes Association (ADA) -- just the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) -- because as a Type 1, he feels the ADA does not have his best interests in mind. I'm not sure whether or not I agree with George's assessment, but the ADA has programs aimed at the improvement of life and quality of life for all people with diabetes (regardless of type), while the JDRF is focused exclusively on people with Type 1/autoimmune diabetes. In that light, charity dollars going to an organization such as the JDRF may have a more concentrated effect on George's life with diabetes.

We all have to pick and choose to which charities (if any) we give our time and money. Just in the realm of diabetes research and outreach, there are dozens of organizations looking for our help. In addition to our national diabetes associations (the ADA, the Canadian Diabetes Association, Diabetes UK, etc.) and the JDRF, there are the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) -- whose Annual Meeting's Scientific Programme makes the ADA Scientific Sessions look like a high school science fair -- and the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), which is associated with World Diabetes Day, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations. Closer to home, there is the dLife Foundation, which "supports individuals who are in need of diabetes supplies, education and motivational programs through organizations, foundations and camps" as well as grassroots organizations such as iPump.org, and the foundations associated with diabetes-related social networks such as the Diabetes Hands Foundation (associated with TuDiabetes and EsTuDiabetes) and Fight It (associated with Diabetic Rockstar).

In addition to the major foundations and the smaller grass-roots organizations, there are independent research initiatives. As an example, I have seen a number of folk announce that they have contributed to Dr. Denise Faustman's research in search of a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

There is no shortage of diabetes-oriented organizations looking for our time and our charitable dollars. Whether our interest is outreach and education, providing medication and supplies, or supporting research towards more effective maintenance (or that Holy Grail, a cure), each of us determines, individually, which organizations we feel are most worthy of our support.

George has decided that for him, the JDRF -- with its focus on research and support for people with Type 1/autoimmune diabetes -- is the single organization that most closely aligns itself with his diabetes-related needs and hopes.

Which diabetes-related organizations, if any, do you support? What do you hope they may one day do for you? for other people with diabetes? for the world?