DENVER -- Smoker Friendly, Gasamat Oil Corp. and the Gallagher family have committed another $100,000 "Fund a Cure" donation to JDRF, the primary advocate and leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research worldwide.
For the Gallagher family, owners of the Smoker Friendly and Gasamat brands, the fight to find a cure for type 1 diabetes is very personal.
"Thirteen years ago, our family was saddled with the news that one of our own was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes," said Terry Gallagher Jr., president of Smoker Friendly. "Since that day, two more immediate family members have been diagnosed. This news, and a family legacy of personal and corporate philanthropy, has sparked a commitment to JDRF that has lasted more than a decade, and resulted in more than $500,000 raised.
"Colin, my son, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just 13. In addition Emelia, Kathleen [Gallagher's] daughter, and our cousin Brittany also have been diagnosed with this life-changing disease. The lives of our family have been changed forever--insulin, injections and worry are now a part of their and our daily lives."
The family has launched a renewed fundraising effort with the $100,000 commitment in advance of JDRF's 2012 Dream Gala, which will be held April 28, with the theme "Wild for a Cure." During the event in Denver, the Gallagher family will be presented with the "Commitment to the Dream" Award by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of JDRF.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on T1D research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents and adults with this disease, JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF is to improve the lives of every person affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. More than 80% of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.
Retailers interested in a point-of-sale emblem to support JDRF can call (303) 770-2873 or email rockymountain@jdrf.org.
Smoker Friendly is a full-line tobacco retailer with more than 800 stores independently owned and operated around the United States. The Cigarette Store Corp., dba Smoker Friendly, directly owns and operates 84 stores in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah, which includes 20 Gasamat convenience stores that offer fuel.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.