JDRF Mississippi » About

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:48:36 +0000

Michelle Colon – Special Events & Development Manager

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:47:53 +0000

Michelle Colon joined the JDRF family as a volunteer in the fall of 2003 and served the MS Chapter as Administrative Assistant from 2004-2007, while pursuing her M. A. degree. Her dedication to finding a cure for the many children, teens and adults living with diabetes in Mississippi is unwavering.

Currently, she is the Special Events Coordinator and enjoys organizing fundraising efforts for research.

Michelle Alexander – Executive Director

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:46:58 +0000

Michelle Alexander is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Chapter. She joined JDRF in March, 2005 and has thoroughly enjoyed working with the Chapter’s dedicated volunteers, corporate partners and families.

Michelle’s husband Robert has type 1 diabetes, so she is very determined to do all she can to fulfill JDRF’s mission to find a cure.

Kitty Rushing

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:44:43 +0000

I became involved with JDRF through my friendship with the Dittos, who are so personally committed to the cause for a cure. I believe in JDRF because I have seen up close the anguish and hope in the parents I have met who have children with diabetes. Their dedication will surely bring results in the search for a cure.

I don’t have diabetes nor do I know of family members at this time who have to live with this disease, but I would like, in some small way, to be a part of the battle that is being fought by JDRF.

I have not ever been involved with a group that is more organized and determined . . . from the employees of the Mississippi Chapter to the individuals who make up the Board to those members who daily deal with this dreadful disease.

Cyndi McCoy

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:43:48 +0000

I became involved with JDRF after the life changing day in 2002 when my 5 year old son Will was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Once the initial shock of the diagnosis wore off, our family became committed to working to find a cure for diabetes. JDRF’s commitment to research is the key reason that I feel it is THE diabetes organization that will find a cure. That is my family’s goal – a cure for Will and everyone like him.

After a particularly bad low blood sugar not long after his diagnosis, Will said “Mom, I know why they call it diabetes; it’s because you die from it, right? That’s why they call it die-abetes, right?” I knew then and there that I had to become actively involved in finding a cure for diabetes, and I know that JDRF is the organization that can make that a reality.

In working with JDRF, we have found a community of people who truly understand what it is like to have a child with diabetes. Will can be just like everyone else with his JDRF friends. The support and friendships we have made through our affiliation with JDRF are priceless.

Franc Lee

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:43:00 +0000

I am committed to helping JDRF Fund a Cure for Diabetes. The fact that JDRF has the singular focus of finding a cure gives me a great deal of clarity when working with the organization to raise money. What a huge opportunity all of us have to participate in the cure for such a horrible disease.

Dale Hubbard

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:42:17 +0000

I originally became involved in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as a favor to a good friend. However, after becoming familiar with the good work being done by this organization, I became personally committed to its mission and have been extremely active and involved ever since.

As a delegate to the national convention, I have had an opportunity to see first hand how pro-active and involved JDRF is in the most important aspect of this terrible disease, finding a cure. I also have a close family member who was stricken with diabetes early in life and I am now committed more than ever to do all I can to help fund research.

We are so close to a cure and it is my true belief that when the cure is found, JDRF will be the driving force behind it. It is my honor and my privilege to be a part of the Mississippi organization and I look forward to continuing my efforts on its behalf and on behalf of the people afflicted with diabetes.

Frank Farmer

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:41:40 +0000

As a person who lives with type 1 diabetes every day, getting involved with the JDRF was an easy decision. After all, I have a personal stake in the success of this organization. After I attended my first JDRF Gala in 2002 and saw the passion and progress that the JDRF inspires, I was hooked!

The JDRF has revolutionized the way we research and the way we fund research. That research is vital to curing this disease. Even today, research and technology developed at JDRF-funded centers helps people living with diabetes enjoy increased quality of life while keeping their eyes on the cure.

While I am proud to be a part of the Mississippi Chapter of the JDRF, I do look forward to the day when it is no longer needed because a cure has been found. I am confident that the research that the Mississippi Chapter helps the JDRF fund is moving from “bench to bedside” as quickly as possible. It is that research that will make the cure a reality – for me and thousands of others who want to live without this disease!

Betsy Ditto

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:40:56 +0000

I became involved with JDRF after my daughter Anna was diagnosed with diabetes in 1992. In 1996, I began assisting JDRF with Government Affairs, making visits to the Mississippi Congressional Delegation. In 1998, a small group of parents and friends organized the JDRF Mississippi Chapter, with encouragement from JDRF International.

We organized the first Mississippi Walk to Cure Diabetes that year, and began the Monopoly Gala in 2000. It was lots of hard work, but lots of fun too. I would do it again in a minute.

I am convinced that JDRF is a dedicated and very efficient steward of our time and our contributions. I am certain that JDRF will be the reason that a cure is found! I am so grateful for this organization and so proud of the incredible growth our chapter has seen.

Mark Darby

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:40:03 +0000

I became involved with JDRF when my daughter, Brittany was diagnosed with diabetes in June of 2003. I support JDRF because over 80% of their expenditures support research, and I want a cure found for my daughter. Any time I have ever needed anything, JDRF is there. I appreciate Michelle Alexander, Michelle Colon and Janet McDaniel’s enthusiasm and support in helping raise money to find a cure for this dreaded disease that has robbed our kids of a normal life.