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 | | Type 1 diabetes accounts for five to ten percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes |
The Remaining Challenge
Islet cell transplantation is improving the lives of people with type 1 diabetes and represents the most promising cure for the disease, but more research is needed before patient immune systems can accept transplanted islet cells without the use of immunosuppressive drugs. These medications are toxic to the islets themselves and have potential side effects.
The Focus to Cure Diabetes Foundation has taken on three initiatives to meet this remaining challenge:
- Funding islet cell transplants that enable patients to produce enough insulin to control blood glucose without immunosuppressive drugs.
- Supporting research to address the present shortage of islet cells by converting other cells into beta cells and leveraging live organ donations.
- Exploring regeneration strategies that will one day enable patients to renew their own beta cells.
The need for ongoing research and the serious shortage of islet cells available for transplantation presents donors with two important ways to give.
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