West Hartford Student is JDRF 'Fund A Cure Junior Ambassador'

The following release was submitted by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Liam E. McGee, Chairman, President and CEO of The Hartford, will accept the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Star of Hope Award on behalf of The Hartford at the 2012 Promise Ball on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Conn.

Susan Herbst, President of the University of Connecticut and 2012 Promise Ball Honorary Chair, will present the Star of Hope Award to The Hartford for the company’s commitment to the Foundation’s mission of finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications. Mr. McGee will accept the award during the event on May 19.

The Hartford is a leading provider of insurance and wealth management services for millions of consumers and businesses worldwide. The Hartford is consistently recognized for its superior service, its sustainability efforts and as one of the world's most ethical companies.

“The Hartford believes in JDRF’s unrelenting commitment to enable healthier lives today and inspire hope for a T1D cure tomorrow,” said McGee. “We are proud to support JDRF’s essential work. I am honored to be receiving the JDRF’s Star of Hope Award on behalf of all my Hartford teammates.” 

Hosted by JDRF’s North Central Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Chapter, this premiere event’s theme is “Path to a Cure – Where We Are...Where We’re Going”. This year’s theme takes a journey down the path that JDRF is traveling; one where the final destination of finding a cure for T1D will be reached. Kevin Nathan will serve as emcee of the Ball. 

Approximately 800 guests are expected to attend the Promise Ball in support of JDRF. Last year’s event raised $1.29 million for diabetes research. JDRF hopes to continue its record of success this year through corporate sponsorships, auction activity, ads and ticket sales. In addition to the presentation of the Star of Hope Award, the event includes a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, unforgettable entertainment and JDRF’s signature Fund A Cure program, during which 100% tax-deductible donations may be made to research.

Fourteen-year-old Marshall Barnes, son of Eleanor and John Barnes of West Hartford, is the Fund A Cure Junior Ambassador speaker at this year’s Promise Ball. Marshall was diagnosed at the age of three, and is an eighth-grade honor roll student at who enjoys playing golf and football. When asked what finding a cure for type 1 diabetes would mean to him, he responded that he will be able to "do all the things he wants and hopes to do, without the limitations and boundaries associated with diabetes."

Visit www.jdrfctma.org for more information about the Promise Ball. Also on the site are event details as well as sponsorship, donation and ticket information. Questions may be directed to the local JDRF Chapter at 860.470.0020 or northcentralct@jdrf.org.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal. Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.6 billion to diabetes research. Past JDRF efforts have helped to significantly advance the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.