Over $1 Million Raised For Diabetes Research Through Local Events

For 15 consecutive years, friends and family have packed The View restaurant to raise money for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRI) to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes. The “Cooking For a Cure” committee donates so much of their time collecting donations, designing invitations and special parting gifts, and organizing this event.

“The talent of our many friends makes this event so special and successful,” Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said. “I can’t thank everyone enough for working so hard to help find a cure for people like my daughter. It’s truly a humbling experience.” The Waller family underwrote this year’s dinner. Chris Kinnear and Jason Lieberman entertained the crowd with great music.

Event co-chair Rebecca Castronovo added, “My heart is filled with gratitude to all who supported this event and made it a resounding success. I feel privileged to co-chair this event with Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton as both our daughters were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at very young ages. All the money we raise goes directly to the DRI to fund research to cure type 1 diabetes. I truly believe that the DRI is our hope for a cure for our daughters and all those living with type 1 diabetes.”

The next DRI fundraising event is the 10th Annual Gold Coast Concours/ Bimmerstock Car Show, which will take place on Sunday, June 3 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. It attracts thousands of spectators to Glen Cove’s Downtown and features hundreds of high-performance cars, great music, delicious food truck fare and raffles. Delia co-chairs this event with Bimmerstock Founder and Martino Auto Concepts owner Joe LaPadula, who spends countless hours to ensure that the event is always a huge success.

Since their inception, these and other local events, including Glen Cove PBA golf outings, have raised over $1 million for the DRI, which is working on a breakthrough treatment for type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. In two years of clinical trials, their “BioHub” is realizing great success. This bioengineered “mini organ” that is implanted onto the stomach wall in patients mimics the functions of a normal pancreas.

Contact the DRI at diabetesresearch.org or 516-822-1700 for more information about the events or to make a donation.

Photo caption:

Members of the DRI Cooking for a Cure Committee with Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton.