Nearly 1,000 patients with type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia unawareness, and life-threatening severe hypoglycemic episodes are urgently awaiting islet transplantation.

 

Recently, 960 patients from across the United States reached out to our program at the University of Chicago with desperate requests for islet transplantation.

 

However, while we await the decision of the Secretary of HHS regarding reclassification of pancreatic islets from a drug to an organ, we are unable to provide this life-changing therapy outside of clinical trials because of current drug regulations and the lack of insurance reimbursement.

 

At present, we have only very limited funding to support islet transplantation research. We are preparing to launch a new clinical trial with Tegoprubart, but funding is currently available for only 10 patients with chronic kidney disease.

 

We could help many more patients — especially those in the most desperate situations among the thousands who have contacted us — if additional research funding were available.

 

Therefore, we appeal to anyone willing to support our patients and our islet transplantation research. Below is the link to the University of Chicago research account specifically dedicated to advancing our islet transplantation program.

 

Link to Donate to our Islet Transplantation Research Fund>>

 

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has already supported our program, making islet transplantation possible for several patients. Thank you to each and every one of you for your generosity, trust, and support.

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The University of Chicago Medicine is part of the larger University of Chicago, a not-for-profit organization that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.  

All gifts to the University of Chicago are tax deductible. The University’s EIN number is 36-2177139.

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