Issue 1
February, 2009
Finding a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes
We are pleased to present the first issue of The Sanford Project Newsletter outlining progress on Sanford Health’s attack on type 1 diabetes and news about broader scientific achievement in cell biology. We hope our common-language approach to this technical subject, during what is an extremely exciting period, will be informative for people living with diabetes, their friends and families, scientists within the diabetes community, and others with an eye on The Sanford Project. In our path toward a cure, we hope you become familiar with the tremendous development activities occurring at Sanford Health, an
The Sanford Project Seeks Cure for Type 1 Diabetes Focus on Beta Cell Regeneration and Autoimmunity On June 6, 2008, Sanford Health leaders announced the focus of The Sanford Project is curing type 1 diabetes via the body’s natural ability to regenerate beta cells. Identified as the attack on one of the greatest health concerns of our time, Sanford Health is dedicating health research resources to cure type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes. “The concept for The Sanford Project is to focus on a single,
pressing healthcare issue and establish a world-class research team to achieve significant progress within a reasonable time period,” said Sanford Health Executive Vice President Dave Link. Regeneration research focuses on triggering the body to re-grow the insulin-producing beta cells that have been killed by the autoimmune response and to prevent destruction of the newly regenerated cells by
organization with humble roots planted firmly in South Dakota and the greater Midwest, and the industries of patient care, medical education and health research. Also, visit www.sanfordproject.org to learn more and receive the most advanced information on our developments and discoveries. Thank you for joining us on this exciting and historic journey.
David Link Executive Vice President, Sanford Health
the same autoimmune reaction. “Beta cell regeneration is one of the fastest-growing and most intriguing areas of type 1 diabetes research,” stated Ben Perryman, PhD, Sanford Health Vice President of Research. Sanford Health will assemble a team of top researchers to work on the project and plans an investment of $30 million over five to seven years. Additional funding is expected from foundation and industry sources as well as the National Institutes of Health. The core of the research will be conducted in a developing 185-acre research park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s growing southwest corridor.
$5.00 or included within a $20 annual subscription to The Sanford Project via www.sanfordproject.org. All proceeds support type 1 diabetes research at Sanford Health.