A national philanthropic organization has partnered with University of Iowa Health Care to take dead aim at diabetes, a public health crisis of epidemic proportions.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles has pledged to raise $25 million for diabetes research. The announced partnership marks the first time UI has joined forces with the nearly one-million-member organization.

The gift will establish the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center in the new UI Institute for Biomedical Discovery. It will fund endowed chairs and fellowships for diabetes researchers, provide seed research grants for innovative research ideas, and help recruit leading scientists in diabetes research and translational medicine.

"This partnership demonstrates our shared desire to understand and ultimately cure diabetes by moving research findings into the clinical setting as quickly as possible," said UI President Sally Mason.

UI Vice President for Medical Affairs Jean Robillard, MD, said medical science is at a pivotal moment for making progress in treating and preventing diabetes. "This visionary gift has enormous potential for helping us find a cure."

Pediatricians say the number of children with diabetes is growing at an alarming rate. An estimated 24 million Americans have the disorder, which affects people of all ages.

—Tom Moore

"This partnership is not only something we should do, it's something we must do to find a cure for diabetes. This disease affects a significant percentage of our members as well as the population at large."

—Bill Loffer, membership director
Fraternal Order of Eagles

Growing Problem
The national diabetes epidemic affects people of all ages.