LOS ANGELES, April 14, 2009 — Nick Jonas has never let his type 1 diabetes slow him down. With a $250,000 donation to City of Hope through their Change for the Children Foundation, Nick along with brothers Joe and Kevin, better known as the pop sensations the Jonas Brothers are hoping to ensure that no one dealing with type 1 diabetes is hampered from achieving their dreams. Their gift will support new City of Hope diabetes clinical trials of potential new treatments for type 1 diabetes at City of Hope. Diabetes affects approximately 20 million Americans.
The Change for the Children Foundation was created by the Jonas Brothers to support programs that motivate and inspire children by facing adversity with confidence, determination and the will to succeed. Nick Jonas, the youngest brother in the music group, has publicly spoken about managing his own type 1 diabetes, an auto-immune disease in which a person’s own immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The foundation has made contributions to many programs focused on children’s health, including the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Camp, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and 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 or cancer, you can succeed and there are amazing organizations like City of Hope that will help you overcome them.”
For more than 30 years, City of Hope’s Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, has helped advance research, patient care and education through its clinical care and research programs. In 1978, City of Hope scientists Arthur D. Riggs, Ph.D., and Keiichi Itakura, Ph.D., genetically engineered E-coli bacteria to produce human insulin (Humulin). This new preparation of synthetic human insulin was the first genetically engineered health care product approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and is now used by over 4 million people with diabetes worldwide.
Today, the diabetes program offers an integrated approach of research initiatives and patient care, which includes a world-class islet cell transplantation program and the largest islet cell isolation, distribution and transplantation center in the western U.S. City of Hope’s National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Southern California Islet Cell Resource Center is only one of seven NIH-designated islet cell resource centers in the nation. Islet cells produce insulin in the pancreas and are destroyed by a patient’s own immune system in type 1 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., director, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, City of Hope. “This generous gift from the Jonas Brothers will help further our efforts in developing a new treatment for type 1 diabetes that may lead to a cure for the disease.”
Last fall, 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.
About Jonas Brothers
Hollywood Records recording artists, the Jonas Brothers have experienced a meteoric rise as a pop culture phenomenon in the past year. Their last two CDs, including their 2007 self-titled debut and 2008’s “A Little Bit Longer” have both been certified platinum. Their Disney Channel Original Movie, “Camp Rock,” premiered with the highest non-sequel ratings in Disney Channel history. They are about to release their fourth studio album this June and embark on their first world tour where they will be playing to sold-out crowds in North America, Europe and Latin America.
Their brand new Disney Channel television series, “JONAS,” premieres on May 2 and their recent 3-D concert movie debuted as the second highest grossing concert film in history. Last fall, the Jonas Brothers released their first book, published by Hyperion.