Who We Are

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. Since our founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has funded 1.5 billion in type 1 research. Today, our leadership is associated with the most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes. JDRF research is focused on improving the lives of people with diabetes today and in the future. Locally, JDRF has supported research grants at University Medical Center beginning in September 2010.

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 Diabilities. 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 – Special Events & 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 Special Events Manager and enjoys organizing fundraising efforts for research.

Kayla Williams – Administrative Assistant

Kayla started with JDRF in fall of 2010. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor's in Marketing and currently serves as our Chapter's Administrative Assistant.  A native of Brookhaven, MS, Kayla enjoys spending her time watching sports and playing with her niece and nephews.

Kayla is happy to be a part of the mission to FIND A CURE!