Kamloops Blazers part-owner, Tom Gaglardi, has made a sizeable donation to fight diabetes.
The Canadian businessman donated $3 million to JDRF Canada to support cure-related research activities in the areas of encapsulation, as well as beta cell replacement and regeneration.
His gift will support JDRF’s global efforts to advance type 1 diabetes research, a disease that impacts over 300,000 Canadians.
“As the parent of a child with type 1 diabetes, I’m incredibly proud to support JDRF in funding the kind of critical research that will improve the lives of people living with this disease,” Gaglardi said, who’s the President of Northland Properties Corporation and also the owner of the NHL’s Dallas Stars.
More than 50 scientists around the globe are developing ways to generate or produce an unlimited supply of beta cells through the JDRF Encapsulation Research Program.
They’re also working towards revolutionary biotechnologies that consist of protective barriers and devices that can be implanted in people with type 1 diabetes, shielding beta cells from immune system attack.
“We are on the verge of defeating a disease that affects so many people in Canada and around the world,” said JDRF Canada President and CEO, Dave Prowten. “Each day we are getting closer to finding a cure and we are very grateful to Tom and his family for their generous contribution.”
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 is not linked to being overweight, a lack of exercise or other lifestyle factors and is not preventable.
Insulin injections allow a person with type 1 diabetes to stay alive, but they don’t cure the disease or prevent long term complications.
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research.
Their goal is to progressively remove the impact of the disease and eventually achieve a world without it.
“Tom Gaglardi’s extraordinary gift will move us meaningfully closer to our goal of turning type 1 diabetes into type none,” said Derek Rapp, President and CEO of JDRF International. “On behalf of everyone whose life is touched by type 1 diabetes, I thank Tom and his family.”
Along with his ownership of the Blazers and Stars, Gaglardi's portfolio also includes Sandman and Sutton Place Hotels.
