Parents David and Julie Abes swing into action to work for a cure.
When the 2-year-old son of Sandy Springs resident David Abes was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (TID), the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group COO and his wife, Julie, immediately became involved with JDRF (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). “It’s the leading non-governmental organization focused on type 1 diabetes research and is committed to improving the lives of patients and finding a cure,” Abes says.
He’s been a board member for 12 years, and his wife is head of outreach. Both are heavily involved in raising funds through events, such as the annual Hope for a Cure Gala every Mother’s Day weekend, the annual One Walk and other chapter events. More than 80 cents from every dollar of the $98 million raised nationwide goes into research.
Additionally, Julie Abes visits newly-diagnosed patients and their parents to offer encouragement and support.
Now 16 years old and doing well, their son, Mitchell, leads an active lifestyle, thanks in part to research funded by JDRF. “There have been so many advancements in terms of improved insulin and the insulin pump,” Abes says. “The most promising new research is focused on developing an artificial pancreas that will automatically deliver insulin therapy as needed.”
For more information, visit georgia.jdrf.org.
BY: Mickey Goodman
