Nov. 18, 2005

Former George Mason basketball standout Jon Larranaga and the son of Coach L" will speak at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Night of Hope Gala on Saturday, November 19 about his experiences with diabetes and why funding research is so important in finding a cure.

The evening's theme, "A Million Wishes for a Cure," speaks to the hope of the many children and adults like Larranaga living with type 1 diabetes. The event will honor Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner and his wife, First Lady Lisa Collis, for their outstanding dedication and commitment to JDRF and its mission: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. The Governor and First Lady became involved with JDRF after their daughter, Madison, was diagnosed with type 1.

The Night of Hope Gala, the Capitol Chapter's biggest fundraiser, raised more than $1.2 million for diabetes research in 2004. Across the nation, JDRF Galas brought in over $33 million last year alone. For Larranaga, being involved with JDRF means one thing: hope for a cure. "What's special about the Gala and JDRF is that everyone shares a common goal--finding a cure for this disease. That means a lot to me."

For Larranaga, fighting diabetes is no slam-dunk. But until a cure is found, he's sticking with his tough strategy of strict control of his blood glucose levels. For him and many others, defeating diabetes and its complications will be the most important win of his life.

The twenty-five year-old Larranaga went abroad, playing basketball professionally in Europe after he graduated in 2003. In his lifetime, Larranaga has made hundreds, perhaps thousands, of great shots on the court. Off the court, however, is where he records shot after shot with impressive regularity. He must inject himself with insulin several times a day just to stay alive. "I've probably given myself over 20,000 shots," said Larranaga.

Having type 1, or juvenile, diabetes means that Larranaga's body attacks its own beta cells, destroying his body's ability to make its own insulin. Insulin helps the glucose in food move through the body to supply it with energy. But when the beta cells are destroyed, no insulin can be produced, and the glucose stays in the body instead, where it can cause serious damage to all the organ systems in the body. Like the approximately one million people living with type 1 diabetes, Larranaga faces the prospect of frightening complications: blindness, kidney failure, amputation.

Trying to balance insulin, healthy food and exercise is a challenge much tougher than any opponent he ever faced on the basketball court. Many parents discourage their children from playing sports, concerned that strenuous activity would only complicate an already hard-to-manage lifestyle. It's not how Larranaga grew up, however. His parents encouraged him to play sports, and he feels that sports are key to a happy and productive life, diabetes or not.

"I never thought of my diabetes as a handicap," said Larranaga. "Everyone should play sports. It teaches you how to work hard. You have to be disciplined when you play sports and you have to be disciplined when you're a diabetic. I think a lot of times, it's the parents' worries that restrict the kids and what they're able to do."

In addition to multiple daily blood tests and injections, Larranaga must carefully balance his food intake and his exercise to avoid hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions, both of which can be life-threatening.

It's enough to make many people just give up. For Larranaga however, having type 1 diabetes never slowed him down. Larranaga now serves as a mentor to newly diagnosed children, inspiring them to never say never. "I played professional sports, I was a Dean's List student--and I did it all while managing my diabetes. Your mental approach to it determines if you're going to have a normal life or a successful life. If I got down every time I had to take a shot, I'd be unhappy. And that's just no way to live."

About JDRF: Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has funded more than $800 million in scientific investigation at the top universities, medical centers, and laboratories around the world. JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. JDRF is one of the world's top charities, receiving top ratings from the American Institute of Philanthropy, Smart Money, Forbes, and Charity Navigator. Barron's magazine recently named JDRF one of the top four charities in the U.S.