Pop Star Nick Jonas Revisits the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation's Carnival for a Cure

Star's words of hope and perseverance inspire more than 1,000 attendees

NEW YORK, March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nick Jonas took the stage at the 6th Annual Carnival for a Cure benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) this weekend to describe his personal story of living with type 1 diabetes and how the disease hasn't slowed him down nearly five years after he announced his condition. The music, television and movie phenom made a special appearance at the event benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), the same event where in 2007 he first announced to the world that he has type 1 diabetes.  More than 1,000 people attended this year's soldout affair held on Sunday, March 13, 2011, at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110314/DC65030)

"It was four years ago that I asked people in this very room to raise their hands if they were diabetic. I raised mine, too, telling the world for the first time that I had the disease," Nick said to the awestruck crowd. "I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't let diabetes slow me down…and five years later it hasn't. Many people have helped me and I want to thank the people in this room for coming out and Bayer HealthCare for all of the support you have shown." Jonas serves as a spokesperson for Bayer Healthcare Diabetes Care, a sponsor of the event.

Dubbed New York's largest indoor carnival, the celebrated afternoon offered a whirlwind of  festivities. Featuring everything from face painting, henna tattoos, mouthwatering goodies and games for all ages, to a micro-racing track, bungee run, mini obstacle course and basketball hoops, kids and parents alike were entertained from start to finish. At the forefront of what's considered "cool," hundreds of young trendsetters played the latest game craze, Gaga, while parents enjoyed a silent auction filled with got-to-have-it stuff, like signed posters, guitars and CDs from Jonas himself, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber (sigh)!

"Today was a very special day for us. Being part of the DRI has given us hope that a cure is within reach. The commitment of the DRI to find a cure and having Nick Jonas at the event is something that everyone who attended will remember," said Sabrina Chosed, who co-chaired the event with her husband Scott as well as Holly and David Sherr, Carolyn and Marc Goldfarb and Denise and Tom Stern.

"Six years ago a group of mothers of children with type 1 diabetes were sitting around a table trying to think of ways to get our children involved with helping to find a cure for this disease," added Denise Stern. "Out of that meeting came the Carnival for a Cure and I am thrilled to be here today watching my son, Tyler, and others enjoy the games and activities while my daughter, Samantha, volunteers with her girlfriends. We're all in this together until they find a cure!"

Generous sponsors included a host of individuals, families and businesses as has been the case each year. Among them were Natalie and Harry Olstein, Bayer Healthcare Diabetes Care, Lori and Eric Aroesty, Cheryl and David Bunzel, Carolyn and Marc Goldfarb, Danielle and Troy Gregory, Leslie and Ricardo Salmon, Holly and David Sherr, Denise and Tom Stern, and Brett and Dan Sundheim.

Additional information about Carnival for a Cure, as well as event photography and event video will be available for viewing at DiabetesResearch.org/Carnival2011.

About the Diabetes Research Institute and Foundation

The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. The Diabetes Research Institute, a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet transplantation. The DRI is now building upon these achievements by bridging cell-based therapies with emerging technologies to restore insulin production. For the millions of families already affected by diabetes, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.  For more information, call 1-800-321-3437 or visit DiabetesResearch.org.

SOURCE Diabetes Research Institute Foundation