We at the Children with Diabetes Foundation are excited about the many scientific avenues being pursued in the quest for a cure for Type 1 diabetes. Scientists around the world are investigating stem cells from embryos, cord blood and adult tissue; islet transplants from organ donors using novel immunosuppression; and encapsulated islets from human and non-human sources.

The US Government and other large organizations are funding work with embryonic stem cells, which some scientists feel might eventually provide the basis for a cure. However, these studies are just beginning and will take many years to bear fruit.

The Children with Diabetes Foundation seeks instead to invest it's research dollars in areas that have the potential to cure Type 1 diabetes in humans sooner, such as encapsulated islet studies, prevention studies and biomechanical studies. We offer donors a chance to invest in alternatives to research with embryonic tissues as we feel sufficient resources are being devoted to that area.