Raising money and awareness for the JRDF.
Eva Clarke had no immediate family members with diabetes, so when she was diagnosed at age 41 with Type I Diabetes (T1D), she and her husband, Will, were mystified. She was slim, exercised regularly, and was super health conscious. In her typical fashion, she dove headfirst into researching her new diagnosis and learned that T1D is an autoimmune disease that can strike at any age despite one’s health status. The Clarkes also turned to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JRDF) for community support and information.
“People with T1D don’t produce insulin,” explains Eva. “They must constantly be aware of their blood sugar and administer insulin every time they eat carbs, or they risk serious health complications.”
When Eva joined the Board of JDRF, she and Will brainstormed the idea of a revenue-sharing license plate to raise awareness and funds for diabetes research. Thus began their mission: to “Drive Out Diabetes.” It took two years of dedication to complete the DMV’s requirements. “Eva, always passionate about her causes, even knocked on doors to meet the quota of preselling 350 plates,” Will proudly told me.
Available through Virginia’s DMV, this colorful plate has raised thousands of dollars for diabetes research, an accomplishment for which the Clarkes were honored at February’s JDRF Gala. “JDRF is grateful for the Clarke’s significant contribution toward creating a world without T1D,” says Jaclyn Toll, JDRF Mid-Atlantic Executive Director. “It’s advocates like them who help us get closer to finding a cure.” JRDF.org
