Breakthrough T1D Announces $250,000 Donation

To Support
JDRF’s Mission to Find a Cure for Diabetes

M. Marie Davis, Executive Director Breakthrough T1D Greater Missouri and Southern Illinois Chapter, announced today that she has received a $250,000 gift focused on accelerating the search for a cure for T1D (type 1 diabetes) from Kurowski Shultz LLC, Swansea, IL. The donation was made by long time law partners, John J. Kurowski and William D. Shultz, Jr.
Both men have daughters who were diagnosed with T1D in the first five weeks of 2008 – Lizzie Kurowski at 14 and Hannah Shultz at the age of seven.

Mr. Kurowski sits on the Breakthrough T1D Board and with his family has been an active supporter in the organization for many years. Within weeks of the diagnoses Kurowski began a quiet personal effort to understand the disease, the work of Breakthrough T1D and whether a “cure” was a realistic option. “Marie Davis and Breakthrough T1D reached out to us quickly, but I wanted to be sure and understand that I could make a measurable difference,” said Kurowski. He talked to researchers and Breakthrough T1D’s national leadership. What he found was dramatic.

“Type I research – including that supported by Breakthrough T1D was compelling. Projects such as the artificial pancreas and encapsulation research demonstrated that life with T1D could be changed forever,” Kurowski said, “Breakthrough T1D was a different kind of charity, unique. It was monitoring and supporting its funded research and holding its researchers accountable for their funding.”

In the end, Kurowski and Shultz said that on a personal level their success and their firm’s success had to be brought to this cause. “This is not only about our kids but about the millions of Americans with type I diabetes. Bill and I support Breakthrough T1D’s efforts in the development and availability of cure therapies. We know we are helping make a real difference in the lives of all people with T1D,” said Kurowski.

By their example they want to inspire others to follow. “John and Bill’s generous donation of $250,000 reflects their tremendous generosity and underscores the hope and excitement that emerging technologies offer people like Hannah and Lizzie for a cure,” said Davis.