JDRF Uses Wireless Technology to Bolster Grassroots Advocacy Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 2009 — The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), a leader in setting the agenda for type 1 diabetes research, has recently launched a mobile marketing campaign that will use wireless technology to enhance communication with, and generate involvement from its advocates across the country. Through the DiabeTXT program, JDRF will send information to its constituents via text messages, alerting them about important legislation news, diabetes research news, and upcoming events.

As the program expands, JDRF will integrate the technology with its signature Walk to Cure Diabetes program held across the county in an effort to attrat new advocates, and eventually enable supporters to raise critically needed funds for type 1 diabetes research through its mobile giving platform.

"We are very excited by the opportunities SMS technology can offer us to help increase advocacy and funds for type 1 diabetes research," said Michael Kondratick, JDRF's Director of Grassroots Advocacy. "One of the key challenges for any grassroots advocacy effort is getting information out to your constituency that will mobilize them effectively and efficiently. With mobile messaging, our supporters will receive instant communication that can help recruit and coordinate volunteers, as well as offer immediate updates on time sensitive items and help drive communications to targeted legislators quickly."

DiabeTXT was utilized this past week during JDRF's successful Children's Congress in Washington, D.C. In addition to coordinating staff and volunteers throughout the three-day event, over 150 people have been able to use their mobile phones to sign up to receive applications for the next Children's Congress in June 2011.

To participate, people can text keywords supporting various JDRF campaigns to 56333, including:
*ACTION to receive general JDRF advocacy alerts;
*PROMISE to register to attend a meeting as part of the Promise to Remember Me Campaign;
*CC11 to sign-up to receive applications for the 2011 Children's Congress; and
*KAN to join the Kids Advocacy Network.

About JDRF
JDRF is a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications hrough the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes children and adults suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.
Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research, including more than $156 million in FY2008. In FY2008 the Foundation funded more than 1,000 centers, grants and fellowships in 22 countries.