Miami, FL (May, 2003) -– On the heels of bestowing a $20,000 grant to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, the 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to support the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami, Carnival Cruise Lines has provided another generous gift.
At the 12th Annual Feast Among the Grapes, South Florida’s premier wine tasting and culinary event, Carnival will be offering up as a door prize a luxurious four or five day cruise for two aboard their Fun Ship, IMAGINATION. The winners will sail in the exclusive Owner’s Suite.
Carnival is a longtime supporter of the DRI Foundation, serving as a sponsor of numerous fundraising events, including the prestigious Love and Hope Ball. The generous company has also offered similar cruise packages for other DRI fundraising events.
The company’s most recent grant, was given to specifically support the DRI’s Mastering Your Diabetes (MYD), an innovative and intensive self-management program for patients with Type 1 diabetes, and those with Type 2 diabetes who require insulin injections.
The MYD program is an important educational tool for empowering patients, improving blood glucose control and increasing quality of life.
According to Luigi Meneghini, M.D., director of the DRI’s Kosow Diabetes Treatment Center, the Carnival grant could be used to provide scholarships to those patients who would greatly benefit from the program, but are underinsured or have limited financial resources.
“We are extremely grateful for Carnival Cruise Lines’ generosity and thoughtfulness in providing the funds that could help those patients who are financially disadvantaged learn how to optimally manage their disease and decrease their risk of developing crippling diabetes-related complications.”
The standard fee for the 30-hour MYD program is $1,500.
“Carnival is very pleased to support the Mastering Your Diabetes program sponsored by the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation and applauds its efforts at seeking innovative strategies to educate the public about this disease, which affects more than 17 million Americans,” said Linda Coll, director of the Carnival Foundation, which coordinates the company’s philanthropic efforts.
The Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine is a world leader in cure-focused research. Pioneering new technologies in islet cell transplantation since the early 1970s, the DRI has successfully reversed diabetes in patients involved in ongoing clinical trials. For the millions of families affected by diabetes who are looking to the world of science for answers, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.
###
Media Contacts:
Lori Weintraub, APR – lweintraub@drif.org
(954) 964-4040
(800) 321-3437