JDRF, is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research in the world. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes mellitus and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which strikes people suddenly, and requires insulin therapy which includes multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

JDRF was founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Since then, JDRF has focused on the mission of finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of diabetes research. JDRF has funded more than $1.5 billion in diabetes research, including more than $124 million in FY2011. In FY2010, JDRF funded research projects in 19 countries worldwide.

Rating agencies and the media consistently point to JDRF's efficiency and effectiveness as a charitable organization. JDRF annually receives top rankings from independent sources that rate nonprofit organizations; most recently, Charity Navigator - the leading online rating service for charities - awarded JDRF its highest rating: four stars.

Sadly, the number of people with type 1 diabetes is growing. Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed during childhood, however, once diagnosed this disease lasts for a lifetime. Each year, more than 15,000 children and teenagers are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the U.S. That's more than 40 per day. It is estimated that as many as 3 million Americans have type 1 diabetes.

JDRF was formally known as the "Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation". In November 2011, we re-branded our organization, shortening the name to just JDRF.

For more than 40 years, JDRF has been a leader in the search for an end to type 1 diabetes, through both research funding and advocacy. During that time, we have always talked about a cure as a singular destination: a return to normal physiology.

Today, we realize that we are engaged in a process of curing type 1 diabetes - that a cure is not just a destination but also a journey along a path. And we recognize that a part of our mission must be to help those living with type 1 today to live healthier, easier, and safer lives until we arrive at the end of that path.

JDRF market research tells us that, today, 85 percent of those in the U.S with type 1 diabetes are adults. In light of this, we understand that the word "juvenile" is no longer descriptive of the disease or those burdened with it. We must communicate that JDRF is an organization for ALL ages, and ALL stages of this disease.

The JDRF identity was created with these key considerations in mind. We have dropped the formal name "Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation" from our identity and will be known simply as JDRF. This better reflects our commitment to work for ALL those with type 1 diabetes.

An essential graphic element in the logo design is the inclusion of the "T1D" symbol. Intentionally subordinate to the JDRF name, the symbol reinforces our focus on type 1 diabetes, and moves us toward establishing T1D as identifiable shorthand for this disease.

Another unique and recognizable element is the "momentum lines" that frame the JDRF name on top and bottom. This element helps to communicate the energy and urgency with which we are pursuing our mission. Most important, it is reflective of both the progress we've made and the accelerated progress we aim for.

The logo works in conjunction with the brand tagline to succinctly communicate who we are: the leader of the type 1 diabetes community, improving lives and curing type 1 diabetes.