Musician Nick Jonas has never let his type 1 diabetes slow him down. Now he and his older brothers Joe and Kevin — better known as the pop sensations the Jonas Brothers — are helping others with the same disease.
With a $250,000 donation to City of Hope through their Change for the Children Foundation, the Jonas Brothers will support clinical trials of potential new treatments for type 1 diabetes at City of Hope.
 Nick, Kevin and Joe Jonas at the 2008 Concert for Hope (Photo by Lester Cohen/Wire Image) |
The Jonas Brothers created the foundation to support programs that motivate and inspire children and help them face adversity with confidence, determination and the will to succeed.
The foundation has contributed to many programs focused on children’s health, including the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Camp and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in addition to City of Hope.
“Kids can have a tough time growing up, overcoming obstacles in their lives and achieving their full potential, especially when their health is holding them back,” said Nick Jonas. “We wanted to let them know that despite major problems like diabetes, cancer or malaria, you can succeed and there are amazing organizations like City of Hope that will help you overcome them.”
Islet cells produce insulin in the pancreas. In type 1 diabetes, a patient’s own immune system destroys these islet cells. More than 700,000 Americans have this form of diabetes.
“Research has enhanced our understanding of type 1 diabetes and improved treatments that have allowed millions of people to manage their diabetes and lead active, fulfilling lives. But we have still yet to find a cure,” said Fouad R. Kandeel, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Clinical Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism. “This generous gift from the Jonas Brothers will help further our efforts in developing new treatments for type 1 diabetes that may lead to a cure for the disease.”
In 2008, the Jonas Brothers helped raise $1.2 million to support cancer research and treatment at City of Hope by teaming up with top Disney artists Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato at the sold-out Concert for Hope benefit event.