Jody DeMarco, 46, a Philadelphian visited Charlottesville, Virginia, on January 16 and gave hope to those with diabetes at an Islet Replacement Research Foundation function. She is one of the 200 people in the world whose diabetes has been functionally cured by a transplant of islet cells.

"I'm feeling the best that I have ever felt in my life. I have so much more energy. After more than 30 years of coping, it's like an entirely different life," stated DeMarco.

She received two islet cell transplants and has not required insulin injections to control her blood glucose levels since January, 2002. Prior to the islet cell transplant, she managed to survive several serious catastrophes related to low blood glucose levels including the time she was driving with her son in the car when her glucose level dropped dangerously low without warning.

"It's a whole new beginning to be on the cutting edge of a cure," bubbles DeMarco.