Press Releases

Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI), in partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), is hosting an open house for families with Type 1 diabetes, Sunday, March 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. BRI is located at 1201 Ninth Avenue in Seattle.

The free event will include informational sessions with immunology experts and principal investigators Jerry Nepom, MD, PhD, Carla Greenbaum, MD,  Srinath Sanda, MD,  Bob Vernon, PhD and Chris Kuhr, MD. Attendees will be able to tour research labs and participate in hands-on activities related to Type 1 diabetes research.

Family members of individuals with Type 1 diabetes may also participate in the TrialNet study, which screens family members for autoantibodies that could indicate an increased risk for Type 1 diabetes. Relatives of people with Type 1 diabetes have about a 3 to 4 percent chance of testing positive. Participants who learn they are at risk for developing Type 1 diabetes may participate in additional testing. Early detection of Type 1 diabetes may improve an individual’s blood sugar control and reduce chances of developing complications.

Additional activities will be offered for children ages 3 to 11. Free parking is available at the Benaroya Research Institute garage on Seneca between 8th and 9th Avenues.