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New York Weill Cornell Medical Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital today announced its participation in a new international study organized by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) to understand how genes contribute to the development of diabetic kidney disease, also known as nephropathy, in more than 30 percent of people with Type 1 diabetes. More than one million Americans currently have Type 1 diabetes, which can reduce the average lifespan by 15 years. New York Weill Cornell is the only medical center in the New York metropolitan area participating in the GoKinD Study.

A one-time, one-hour clinic visit is needed to participate in the Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes (GoKinD) Study. The study will establish a repository of DNA and clinical information from 1,100 adults with Type 1 diabetes, along with their parents, in order to facilitate studies into the genetic basis of diabetic kidney disease. The GoKinD Study is seeking people with diabetes who have diabetic kidney disease as well as people with diabetes who are free of kidney disease. Participants are asked to supply a blood sample, and urine sample, and their medical history. Parents do not need to have diabetes or kidney disease to participate.

"The samples and data collected in this study will greatly increase our understanding of diabetic kidney disease," said Dr. Robert Goldstein, chief scientific officer of JDRF, which is sponsoring this study at 30 medical centers across the U.S. and Canada. "By comparing patients with diabetes who progressed to kidney disease to those who did not, we anticipate being able to identify the profile of who is at risk, design new treatments, or even prevent kidney disease."

The primary participants are 18 to 54 years old and have had Type 1 diabetes for at least 10 to 15 years. The study is seeking a total of 1,100 people with diabetes, for a total of 3,300 including participants' parents.

"With a one-hour visit to our clinic, participants and their parents can make a lasting contribution to our understanding of this diabetes complication that can lead to debilitating dialysis treatment or even requires a kidney transplant for survival," said Dr. David Brillon, GoKinD Study investigator and Director of the New York Weill Cornell Diabetes Care Center. "I know New York families affected by Type 1 diabetes will want be part of a study that can lead to improved quality of life."

More information on how families can participate in the GoKinD Study is available by calling 1-866-4GO-KIND (1-866-466-5463).

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), the world's leading nonprofit, nongovernmental funder of diabetes research, was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with juvenile diabetes—a disease which strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since its inception, JDRF has provided more than $410 million to diabetes research worldwide. In 2001 alone, we will spend $120 million. We are proud to say that 85 cents of every dollar goes directly to research and education about research. Our mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more information, visit our website at www.jdrf.org, or call 800-533-CURE.