This is the JDCA’s third annual survey-based report on the attitudes and desires of the type 1 diabetes community. Over the past three years, the priorities of this community have remained largely unchanged: they want their money used for cure research and prioritize research that has the best chance to deliver results in the near term.

The latest survey was conducted online during February, 2015. All respondents either have type 1 diabetes (49%) or have a family member or close friend with T1D (83%).

The Key Trends:

  • For the third year in a row, a majority of donors choose cure research as their number one priority. Cure research consistently ranks as more important than any other activity that the diabetes charities fund. In the most recent survey, 56% said that cure research should take the top spot. (Appendix A)
  • Eight out of ten people in the T1D community would take a Practical Cure now over an idealized cure later. The type 1 community wants a cure in time to benefit people who are currently living with the disease. A Practical Cure that would be available in the next 15 years is preferable to an ‘ideal’ cure that would arrive decades from now.  (Appendix B)
  • There is consistent, unanimous agreement that a Practical Cure would improve quality of life for people with type 1 diabetes. The value of a Practical Cure is apparent. Year after year, 10 out of 10 survey respondents agree that a Practical Cure would meaningfully increase quality of life for those with type 1 diabetes.  (Appendix C)
  • People want to give for a Practical Cure. Donors want to give money to cure research that could yield near-term results. Members of the type 1 community would be highly likely to give to a Practical Cure initiative if that option were made available. (Appendix D)
  • There is an overwhelming desire for JDRF to shift focus back to research. In 2014, JDRF spent less than half its budget on research grants for the first time on record. 84% of the JDRF donors who responded to the most recent survey want JDRF to shift priority back to research. (Appendix E)

 

APPENDIX A

Cure research is the top priority

What is the top priority that you would like your donation to be used for?

APPENDIX B

8 out of 10 prefer Practical Cure

Please choose the outcome that you would prefer: 

2013 N=352; 2014 N=297; 2015 N=255

 

APPENDIX C

There is a unanimous belief that a Practical Cure would materially improve quality of life

How much do you think a Practical Cure would improve quality of life for people currently living with type 1 diabetes?

Combined percentage of respondents who answered ‘substantially’, ‘very much’, or ‘somewhat’:

2013 N=352; 2014 N=297; 2015 N=255

 

APPENDIX D

Donors want to give to Practical Cure research projects

How likely would you be to donate to Practical Cure research projects if that option was made easily available to you?  Percentage of respondents who answered ‘substantially’, ‘very much’, or ‘somewhat’:

2013 N=352; 2014 N=297; 2015 N=255

 

APPENDIX E

The majority of donors want JDRF to shift their focus back to research

How much do you desire the JDRF to restore research as their top priority?

2015 N=68