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The Prime Minister launches the SVI Childhood Diabetes Appeal
December 15th, 2010
Type 1 diabetes research at SVI was recently given a boost by a visit from The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. The Prime Minister launched the SVI Childhood Diabetes Appeal on Wednesday the 8th of December at a luncheon at The Langham Hotel, proudly sponsored by NAB Private Wealth.
At the luncheon, the successes of the Islet Transplantation Program were celebrated. The Program involves isolation of insulin-producing islets from organ donors and transplantation into people with difficult to control type 1 diabetes. The Victorian arm of the Program, led by SVI, has resulted in four recipients becoming insulin independent to date.
During the lunch, islet transplant recipient Margaret Harrigan spoke of the difference the transplant has made to her life. "Type 1 diabetes is a debilitating disease that can rob you not only of the lifestyle choices which come with full health, but also your self worth, independence and self esteem. The scientists at SVI are committed and passionate about finding ways to help people with type 1 diabetes, and their research has real results."
The Prime Minister then spoke of the importance of medical research for the future health of Australia. She said "Capturing these ideas and putting them into practice is exactly what our great research institutes like St Vincent's exist to do. You and your sister institutions are writing the next chapter of medical science. You are rehearsing the future that our children and grandchildren will inherit. We may not recognise the names of those who devote their lives to research but their work resonates far beyond the laboratory walls."
The first donation to the Appeal, which aims to raise $2.2 million towards diabetes research at the Institute, was a $500,000 pledge from Sue Alberti, chair of the SVI Foundation, who is a longtime and generous supporter of the Institute.