Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs, in most cases, during childhood, when T cells attack and destroy the islet cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Without the ability to produce insulin, a person cannot properly metabolize glucose.

The risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes is higher than all other severe chronic childhood diseases. It can occur at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed before the age of 20. The disease requires daily insulin injections, is difficult to manage, carries the constant threat of devastating complications including blindness, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, nervous system disease, high blood pressure, dental disease, and skin disorders. It also usually results in a drastic reduction of quality of life and shortening of the average life span.

Approximately one in every 400-500 children and adolescents have Type 1 Diabetes (or 151,000 people less than 20 years of age). A total of 1.7 million Americans have Type 1 Diabetes. More than 13 million Americans have been diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and there are an additional 5.2 million Americans who are undiagnosed. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death for Americans. The financial impact of treating diabetes, in all it forms, accounts for $132 billion annually in health care and lost productivity costs in the U.S.

Insulin is not a cure. While insulin allows a diabetic to survive, the effects of managing blood glucose levels can lead to many consequences. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the islet cells that is essential to the regulation of carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Excess insulin drives blood glucose levels too low, which can lead to a dramatic reaction that may include confusion, loss of consciousness, coma and even death. When the body does not receive enough insulin, the blood glucose levels rise, which causes damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels.

Achieving near normal blood glucose levels is difficult to maintain. A cure must restore the individual's ability to adjust insulin production second-by-second just as was done by their body prior to diabetes. The body must be able to produce insulin properly to match fluctuations in food consumption, physical activity, stress, and other illnesses.