Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Gala Raises Over $625,000

May 23, 2005

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Sixth Annual Dream Gala, held Saturday May 21, 2005, raised over $625,000 in donations.

Jim Kennel, JDRF board member and president of DMX Direct, Inc., said “Our Sixth Annual Dream Gala was a very fun and gratifying affair. Much like the incredible progress in the field of diabetes treatment, our Chapter’s Dream Gala made significant advances to fund that research as well. With over 600 generous guests attending our event we raised nearly 25% more research funds this year than last. I look forward to the day when diabetes is a footnote in history like polio is today.”

John Hopkins, R.Ph., President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Health Plans, was this year’s Gala Honoree and Presenting Sponsor, donating $25,000 plus a lead gift of $100,000 to Fund-A-Cure.

U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) was the keynote speaker for the event. Congresswoman DeGette is the co-sponser of theH.R. 810, Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, an important milestone in the drive to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and related complications. Read more about it.

The evening's festivities included a silent auction, a live auction, dinner and entertainment by Nina Storey and The New Philharmonic Orchestra.

A significant portion of these donations will support the Denver test center and the stem cell treatment therapy that holds the promise of the cure for diabetes.

Mr. Kennel is president of DMX Direct, Inc., a sponsor of the Journey to a Cure Gala.

About JDRF

JDRF, the leading charitable funder and advocate of juvenile (type 1) diabetes research worldwide, was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with juvenile diabetes – a disease which strikes children suddenly, makes the child insulin-dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since inception, JDRF has provided more than $800 million in direct funding to diabetes research and our new global goals is to increase that number to $1 billion by 2009. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. JDRF is consistently rated by Forbes, SmartMoney, Charity Navigator,Consumers Digest and Barron’s as “extremely efficient financially,” and a “top ten pick that shines.” Also, the American Institute of Philanthropy has given JDRF an “A” rating, the only one for any national diabetes organization. The organization’s mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more information, visit the JDRF web site at www.jdrfrockymountain.org or call 800-533-CURE.

About Direct Marketing Excellence

DMX Direct is a Denver, Colorado based full service direct response marketing company providing outsourcing solutions to support communication, production, distribution and business process outsourcing.  Their services include acquisition, retention, loyalty and reactivation programs, as well as print production, mail and the latest in e-commerce. They have built a reputation, since 1991, for excellent service to both national and regional clients.