Who We Are
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) reasearch. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers conncected to children, 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.
For more information, please visit www.jdrf.org.
What We Do
The Mississippi Chapter is here to assist those affected by type 1 diabetes by offering one-to-one connections, providing useful resources, hosting educational programs and advancing the search for a cure with an active advocacy program.
Get involved and help us turn hope for a cure into a reality!
JDRF Mississippi Staff
Valerie Linn, Executive Director
Valerie Linn currently serves as Executive Director at JDRF. Previously, she has served as Junior League of Jackson's President and has been an active part of the community for over 20 years. For many years she worked with children and their families through a Speech Pathologist position at Mississippi Society for Disabilities. Valerie holds a BS in Speech Language Pathology and a Masters in Communicative Disorders. Valerie is driven to find a cure for diabetes and its complications.
Michelle Colon, Development Manager
Michelle Colon joined the JDRF family as a volunteer in the fall of 2003 and served the MS Chapter as Administrative Assistant from 2004-2007, while pursuing her M. A. degree. Her dedication to finding a cure for the many children, teens and adults living with diabetes in Mississippi is unwavering.Currently, she is the Development Manager and enjoys organizing fundraising efforts for research.
Michelle Reza - Administrative Assistant
Michelle Reza is our newest staff to join JDRF as our new Administrative Assistant! She recently moved back to her childhood home of Jackson, MS after 11 years in Charleston, SC where she served as the Fund Development Manager for the Lowcountry Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Her passion to find the cure motivates her each day. She is thrilled to be a part of the Mississippi Chapter.