Frequent urination, dry mouth and unexplained weight loss are common symptoms of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Also called juvenile diabetes, T1D affects nearly one million Americans and usually occurs in children or young adults. The worldwide incidence of the disease is growing with the greatest increase in children under five years old. Family members of someone who has been diagnosed with T1D are 15 times more likely to develop the disease themselves.

In this autoimmune disease, the body's immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas that make insulin. People with this disease must inject themselves with insulin, carefully monitor their blood sugar and balance their food intake and exercise.

For the past two decades, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) has served as a worldwide leader in research to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure T1D. BRI scientists have accounted for some of the substantial discoveries in the field, including the identification of diabetes susceptibility genes, descriptions of the properties of diabetes-associated immune cells and the development of laboratory and clinical tools to study disease progression and response to therapy.

If you have T1D or a relative with T1D, you’re in a unique position to help us learn more about the disease and how to stop it. The first step is to sign up for a clinic trial or screening.