Donor Spotlight: Beatrice ‘Bea’ Berman

The Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) and Foundation would like to recognize and thank the late Beatrice ‘Bea’ Berman. Like many others living with diabetes, Bea struggled to manage her blood sugars, and with age, her diabetes became increasingly problematic, impacting her overall health and well-being. This motivated her to help others avoid what she experienced. Her generous bequest of $300,000 will help advance cure-focused research at the DRI.

A resident of Utah, Bea worked as a receptionist at Rocky Mountain Mechanical for over forty years. Her warmth, kindness, and gratitude made her beloved by coworkers and clients alike. Bea was an avi d reader, music lover, and a fan of TV shows like “CSI” and “Star Trek.” Her husband Howard passed away in 1985, but her co-workers were her extended family. They were concerned about her and went to her home to check on her in the mornings when she was late for work, finding her on the verge of diabetic coma.

“Bea always wore a smile…and our company’s vendors commented how nice it was to have Bea greet them when they came through the front door,” explained Tom Heward who worked with Bea and served as the executor of her estate.

When making the gift, Tom Heward issued a challenge to match Bea’s contribution with the hope that her gift would be doubled. We are honored to receive Bea’s legacy gift which will help change the lives of diabetes patients like her.

Your Legacy Gift: A Catalyst for a Cure

Thoughtful and generous supporters who have included the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) Foundation in their estate plans or made contributions through designated giving vehicles are the powerful sustaining heartbeat of the DRI’s research programs. The DRI Heritage Society pays tribute to these special individuals whose commitments provide a pipeline of critical funding, ensuring that cure-focused research continues into the future.

Many of our supporters have made gifts to the DRI Foundation in ways that complement their financial objectives. You can arrange a legacy gift by designating the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation as a beneficiary of your will, living trust, IRA, charitable remainder or lead trust, life insurance policy, or another deferred type of gift.

Informing us of your plans is important for several reasons:

• Communicating your wishes to us ensures that we utilize your gift as intended.

• It allows us to recognize you as a member of the DRI Heritage Society and express our gratitude during your lifetime.

• As a member of the DRI Heritage Society you inspire others to establish their own legacy gifts.

Donate to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation with Your Donor-Advised Fund

You can make a meaningful difference with your charitable giving by donating to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation through your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF). A DAF is a charitable investment account that allows you to recommend grants to nonprofits of your choice. Contributions to a DAF are tax-deductible, and any investment growth is tax-free.

If you have a DAF with a financial institution, donating to DRIF is as easy as mailing your donation to our address or using our secure DAF Direct link. If you don’t have a DAF, you can easily set one up with your financial advisor.

Your donation to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation will go towards supporting our research initiatives and developing new treatments for diab etes. To ensure we acknowledge your generosity, please ask your financial institution to include your name, fund name, and address along with your gift.

Thank you for your continued support in our mission to find a cure for diabetes! Visit our website to learn more.

For more information about donor-advised funds, please visit: DiabetesResearch.org/donor-advised-funds

Find Out if Your Employer Has a Matching Gift Program and Double Your Gift to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation!

Each year, many companies support nonprofits by distributing hundreds of millions of dollars in matching gift donations. Companies that offer matching gift programs reward employees who make charitable contributions by increasing the impact of their gifts.

How Does This Work?

After making your donation to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, you can complete a matching gift form and submit it to your company’s HR department. Your company will make a contribution to match your gift. Some companies may even double or triple the size of your gift!

As a DRI Heritage Society member you may enjoy benefits including:

• A uniquely designed award as an expression of our appreciation.

• Recognition on a wall of honor at the DRI.

• Ultimately, upon receipt of the gift, your name will be inscribed on the designated wall within the DRI reflecting your cumulative giving level.

Through thoughtful long-term planning, members of the DRI Heritage Society are achieving personal, family, and philanthropic goals, and creating a true legacy beyond their lifetimes.

To discuss strategies for planning a gift, or notify us of your legacy gift, please contact Jill Shapiro Miller at (954) 674-3205 or a t jshapiro@drif.org.

To find out if your employer has a matching gift program contact your HR department or visit DiabetesResearch.org, click on the orange donate button and enter your company in the search bar at the bottom of the page.

For more information about our Corporate Match Program, please visit: Diabetesresearch.org/how-you-can-help/

“With this new technology, we can optimize islets more efficiently and learn how to reestablish a peaceful interface between beta cells and the immune system,”

Celebrating Dr. Dora Bermen-Weinberg Finding the Sweet Spot

Since its inception, the DRI has worked tirelessly at addressing the Three S’s of islet transplantation: Site, Sustain, and Supply. But diabetes research has recently reached a new juncture. Advances in stem cell technology have more or less solved the issue of developing an infinite supply of insulin-producing beta cells which make up a critical part of islet cells. Researchers and clinicians now have reliable ways to grow large batches of quality beta cells in the lab. DRI researchers are also making great strides in identifying the best site for islet transplantation, or what region in the body is most likely to accept the new cells. Ongoing experiments are exploring the eye and the omentum as promising locations.

In its next chapter, the DRI’s research will increasingly focus on the challenge of sustaining the positive effects of islet transplantation. The new strategy comes down to three main areas: encapsulation, immune modulation, and islet immune evasion.

In encapsulation, DRI researchers are looking to develop the best capsule for delivering islets into the body. Collaborations between physicians, biologists, and engineers will drive the production of new devices and biomaterials that protect islets during and after the procedure.

Next is the need to finely tune the immune function of diabetes patients. Here, researchers will develop therapies that weaken the specific part of the immune system that attacks beta cells, without suppressing the patient’s immune system as a whole.

Finally, DRI researchers will look to boost the beta cells’ defenses, both in the transplanted islets and the patient’s own pancreas.

“In healthy conditions, beta cells are hidden under an invisibility cloak,” said DRI Scientific Director Dr. Matthias von Herrath. “Diabetes develops when beta cells lose this cloak and are suddenly detectable by the immune system, which then starts attacking them.” Thus, one way that DRI researchers will protect beta cells is by genetically engineering them to be less visible to the immune system.

“To treat diabetes, we need to adjust all these different dials and find the sweet spot at which the beta cells and the immune system are finally at peace with one another,” said Dr. von Herrath. “DRI’s advantage is that we have experts on every one of these dials, all under one roof.”

This strategy is being supported by new projects, collaborations, and allocated funds. But the secret weapon may be the introduction of a new biological tool: organoids. While all of these experiments would have previously been performed in animals or cells in a dish, organoids provide a three-dimensional piece of lab-grown human tissue — a mini-organ of sorts — which better replicates the conditions inside the body. Starting this summer, DRI researchers will be able to test new capsules, drugs, and genetically modified cells on these organoid models.

“With this new technology, we can optimize islets more efficiently and learn how to reestablish a peaceful interface between beta cells and the immune system,” said Dr. von Herrath.

To support these latest experiments, sign up to make a monthly donation at www.diabetesresearch.org/give or contact us directly at 800-321-3437 to speak to a team member.

The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation honors the illustrious career of DRI researcher Dr. Dora Berman-Weinberg, who will be retiring from the DRI at the end of August. A longtime partner of Dr. Norma Kenyon, the two scientists have been colleagues in designing experiments, writing grants, and publishing papers for over 20 years.

“It’s been an amazing partnership,” said Dr. Kenyon. “She really has been the connective tissue of our lab. There’s not a single piece of our research program that she hasn’t influenced.”

While her impact on the field is wide-ranging, a central focus of Dr. Berman-Weinberg’s work was finding ways to promote patients’ tolerance to pancreatic islet transplants. She was especially critical to the success of co-transplanting islets with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which helped improve cell survival and transplant acceptance. Over the years, Dr. Berman-Weinberg authored over 30 research articles, presented at numerous national and international meetings, oversaw a variety of academic and commercial partnerships, and mentored the next generation of diabetes researchers.

As a scientist, Dr. Berman-Weinberg embodied the DRI’s commitment to high-quality, ethical research. As a friend, she inspired countless smiles and laughter. “Dora is a great scientist and a great human,” said Dr. Norma Kenyon. “The DRI family loves her and will miss her dearly.”

Spring Signature Events

Spring Highlights

Cooking for a Cure

The 17th annual Cooking for a Cure event was hosted at The Crescent Beach Club in New York honoring the Paolillo Family. Thanks to our dedicated Northeast Board Member, Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, who has hosted the event since its inception. The event raised over $80,000 for the DRIF.

Out of the Kitchen – New York was a culinary extravaganza that delighted attendees and raised substantial funds for the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI). Held at The Altman Building, the event featured an impressive lineup of renowned chefs who showcased their talents for a chance to win the title of DRIF Distinguished Chef. The evening celebrated the best of New York’s culinary scene while supporting the vital work of the DRI.

Sunshine Key West Fishing Tournament

From May 3rd to May 7th, we soaked up some serious sun at the annual Sunshine Key West Fishing Tournament in Key West, Florida. The event, previously known as Blaylock Oil Fishing Tournament, has been ongoing since 2009, raising mo re than $1,000,000 for DRIF. This three-day event includes a cocktail reception, awards, sit-down dinner and most importantly, two major days of fishing! We are so grateful to have the ongoing support of such amazing individuals and Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc.

Out of the Kitchen – South Florida made a triumphant return on April 23rd, at The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood. Showcasing South Florida’s top chefs, the event was a must-attend for food enthusiasts and supporters of the DRIF. Co-Chaired by Tammy and Steve Klein, and Carly and Danielle Klein, the event raised over $350,000, reflecting the attendees’ generosity and dedication.

38th annual Don Strock Diabetes Golf Classic. The 38th annual Don Strock Diabetes Golf Classic returned in May and was a great success. Hosted by former Miami Dolphins quarterback Don Strock and co-chaired by philanthropist Bruce Fishbein, the event raised over $122,000 for the DRI. In the history of this tournament, the support of the South Florida produce and shipping industries has contributed to raising more than $4 million for DRIF.

Sportsmen for Charity Clay Shooting Event

The 19th annual Sportsmen for Charity Sporting Clay (SFC) event was held on Friday, May 5th at Pawling Mountain Club. For 19 years Charles “Charlie” Guigno has hosted the event in honor of his grandson Michael Sindinos was diagnosed with T1D as a child. Since its inception they have raised close to $750,000 in support of the DRI.