Daniel Lavoie has been  the spokeman for the Canadian Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (J.D.R.F) for the last thirteen years. This Foundation was started in 1974  by parents of children suffering from juvenile diabetes. The Foundation is affiliated to the International Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, created in 1970.

Research on diabetes is now progressing fast but the number of diabetic sufferers is expected to double in Quebec within a generation due, among other factors, to the ageing of the population. Each new victim of the illness, of which juvenile diabetes is the most serious form, sees his/her life  expectancy reduced by at least 15 years. “ 10.500 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed every year in Quebec ( 34 a day). Unfortunately there are more winners at the diabetes loto  than at the Quebec Loto.” says Daniel Lavoie.
“The reason I agreed to sponsor this particular charity is tied up with my familiarity with the disease since my childhood. Several people in my family suffered with this disease and I was able to observe for myself the dramatic consequences for the mind and the body caused by diabetes, as well as the restrictive life style imposed by this disease. Even today the disease remains completely incurable.”

To help the Foundation, you could take part in  the  events  organised in Quebec to help to  collect fund entirely dedicated to diabetes research.

- In spring: The Cyclothon: It is an urban cycling circuit, the aim is to cover a many miles as possible to collect money.

- In winter:  The 24 hour Grand Prix: The first  event took place at Mont Tremblant in december  2001, with the support of Jacques Villeneuve and Craig Pollock. This friendly race is a team  effort  lasting 24 hours  with teams of 4 to six skiers trying to clock up  as many miles as possible to  collect money. Daniel Lavoie was in attendance  as  spokeman of the JDRF.

The site: http://www.24heures.tremblant.ca

- Annual  lottery draw of the FRDJ in Montreal: the Montreal branch has been  organising  a lotery draw since 1974, the benefits are  entirely given to the Foundation in the hope of  finding a cure.

To  learn more about the foundation and  give  financial support, visit the  official site of the JDRF: http://www.jdrf.ca

To contact them:

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 
7100, avenue Woodbine, suite 311 
Markham, Ontario L3R 5J2  
CANADA
E-mail : general@jdrf.ca 

Copyright © [ Daniel Lavoie: official website]