Thank you, Chloe.
Health committee members, I want to begin by thanking you very much for giving children like Chloe and Mitchell the opportunity to address your committee formally today. I'm sure it is something they will remember for a long time--as well as the whole day.
Please allow me, as president and CEO of JDRF Canada for the last two months, to also thank you for the important work you do studying and debating health issues of importance to Canadians. We all hope you will see the unique opportunity that is before us to find a cure here in Canada, and soon.
I would like to say a few words by way of familiarizing members of the committee with our organization. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was founded in 1970 by parents of children with juvenile diabetes, or type 1 diabetes. The foundation is the leading non-profit, non-governmental organization in this area and the leading advocate of diabetes research worldwide. We have 12 branches across Canada, from coast to coast, headquartered in Toronto. Our organization's success depends in large part on the hard work and determination of the children, whom many of you have heard from today, as well as on the generous support of our donors and the tireless energy and financial support of the parents, many of whom are also here today.
In the course of your work as parliamentarians you will receive compelling submissions from many groups, all of whom have great reasons for you to support causes like ours. I would only point out to committee members that no chronic disease has ever been cured, but many experts consider that of all the chronic diseases, we are closest to curing juvenile type 1 diabetes. We're this close.
For everyone, particularly children who are primary victims of type 1 diabetes, a cure will be nothing less than a fresh chance at life. For millions of adults it will mean the end of costly, painful, and life-threatening complications.
On behalf of JDRF I want to thank you, members, for your continued support of our efforts.
I would like to introduce Bob Hindle, who will explain more about the great research being done in Canada and what JDRF is currently asking from the federal government.
Bob.