The DRF was established in 1976 to stimulate research into all aspects of diabetes and in particular a cure.
In 1978 a total of $8,200 was awarded to 4 projects: the Busselton Survey; rapid testing of blood glucose; the development of coated oral insulin; and vascular disease computing equipment. Over the next ten years some of these research themes were continued and research work with the Lion’s Eye Institute, studies into sexual dysfunction in men with diabetes, trials of insulin pumps, research into diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease and the epidemiological study of diabetes in Australia were added to the portfolio.
In these early days financial support came from individuals and trusts, through the donation of a property that was later sold, from Telethon and regional radio “donathons”, via corporate sponsors, a grant from Lotterywest for research equipment and support from the Government.
By the 1990s various genetic and insulin study themes had emerged in WA diabetes research and DRF also provided support for research through the Diabetes Australia Research Trust. By the end of the 1990s it became clear that a more focused approach was desirable. A team of people agreed to work together to raise funds to establish a Centre for Diabetes Research in WA to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. It took less than a year to pull together $2.3m and the Centre for Diabetes Research was created.
This was a remarkable collaboration between DRF; The University of Western Australia; the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research; Diabetes WA and a number of corporate and individual donors. This initial $2.3m has been leveraged, under the leadership of Professor Grant Morahan, such that the 14 person genetic and stem cell research Centre has already secured $7m of competitive grant funding for diabetes research and equipment.
Over 30 years DRF has contributed more than $1.4m for research into diabetes and has enabled the establishment of the Centre for Diabetes Research. To date DRF has focused on “traditional” research areas including clinical, genetic and stem cell research and will continue to support these areas. On World Diabetes Day 2008 the third Kelva Campbell Fellowship of $50,000 was awarded to Dr Trang Ly at Princess Margaret Hospital. You can view this project here
However DRF is now also turning its attention to research that will assist people living with diabetes. To this end, 2 research projects grants of $75,000 each have been awarded for research related to the psychosocial aspects of diabetes or issues of diabetes transition from adolescent to adult care. This period of a young person with diabetes life is one full of emotional stress and uncertainty and DRF is pleased to offer the means to find better ways to achieve this transition.
The complications of diabetes are also in need of more research support and with this in mind DRF is looking to provide special funding into the genetic links to diabetic retinopathy (eye disease) and nephropathy (kidney disease). These are new areas of focus for the Centre for Diabetes Research and DRF is pleased to be part of this emerging research expertise in this State.
There is no doubt research over the past 100 years into diabetes has improved our understanding and therefore treatment offered to people living with diabetes but it has also brought us closer to finding a cure for this disease. The collaborative nature of research undertaken in WA ensures the outcomes achieved here are shared around the world. |
