While on a recent trip to Boston, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to sit down for a chat with Dr. Denise Faustman, one of the many diabetes researchers on the quest to find a cure for diabetes. Dr. Faustman’s research has been hotly debated for the past several years, and because of that, much of the research has been funded through private donations.
We last spoke with Dr. Faustman almost two years ago, in April 2009. Since then, she has completed Phase I of her research and is gearing up for Phase II human trials. We wanted to find out her thoughts about how things are progressing.
Watch the video below to hear, in Dr. Faustman’s own words, answers to some burning questions:
* What exactly is your research and how does it differ from other research being done?
* How do you handle negative criticism and skepticism of your work?
* What about the other research trials that reportedly couldn’t duplicate your results?
* How do you feel about the progress of your research?
* What’s next for your research?
Enjoy!
Error : this video is private ……………..
Why post this video if we can’t watch it ? It says ” video is private”?
Sorry guys, my bad. Should be fixed now.
I went up a year ago and gave blood for the first part, she is a very good person and truly believes in this. I know we have all heard “the cure” thing in the past only to be dissapointed. My opinion is at least she is trying a new approach and has had very good results so far. If you have islet sell therapy, our immune system will still attack the new cells. With this new therapy it goes after the bad t-cells that is the cause of our condition. I hope that she can raise the money needed for phase 2 of this trial, it is a very long road (red tape) but worth while for us all.
I have donated to this and will continue to donate more as I can. Anyone know Oprah? Sure would be a great story and could help with funding!
Keep the faith!
Dave
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DiabetesMine and Julia , JCampbell. JCampbell said: DiabetesMine: Dr. Denise Faustman on Her Progress and Career http://bit.ly/f7l7Aa #diabetes [...]
I am so thankful for her. She moves forward despite criticism, and she believes in what she is doing. She is taking the road less traveled, and for that I sincerely thank her from the bottom of my heart.
Great interview!
Since our son was diagnosed back in 2007, he’s now 9 yrs old. We’ve followed/supported Dr. Faustman, and her research. What we’ve come to quickly realize who would not gain in helping her find a cure. That is the pharmicuticals,suppliers, manufacturers, doctors, and yes, the non for profit folks that drive the JDRF and ADA. Instead all these contribute to reseach for an artificial pancreas, but God forbid they help Dr. Faustman with her research, cause if a cure is discovered it would be the demise of this Monopoly. Seriously, I dare those who walk, donate and help fund millions a year to the ADA and JDRF why they refuse to help Dr Faustman. I have and let me say I no longer support them.
Such a great interview. I have been type 1 forever and never ever believed in a cure. I always thought Dr. Faustman was just too good to be true. For whatever reason when she said there were no mice in her lab, I teared up. I searched my brain for why I was crying, and then realized I actually felt hope for a cure for the first time in my over thirty years with this stinky disease
Amy, thanks for the update interview with Dr. Faustman. I was in the lab earlier this year to give some blood, but didn’t get a chance to say hello to her. I’m still very hopeful that her work will provide a cure and I’m working towards a triathlon so I can raise some more funds this year to support the phase II work.
LOVED hearing this update! Thanks Amy! And thank you Dr. Faustman!!
YAY for researchers going at this from all different angles! I feel like the more ideas that are being pursued, in both the cure department and the improved treatment department, the more likely we are to see a big development in the next few years.
great interview!
Erica, ” I searched my brain for why I was crying, and then realized I actually felt hope for a cure for the first time in my over thirty years with this stinky disease.” , that brought tears to my eyes.
My son was diagnosed with T1 in 2005 when he was 3. The minute we got home from the hospital I began to scour the internet for information. I came upon Dr. Faustman’s research and I was hooked. It just makes sense to me. I have supported it ever since and will continue to support it as long as it exists.
My son may never be cured, but I thank Dr. Faustman for trying her best to give him that chance. And, I thank her for helping people like Erica, who had no hope to know what it feels like. And, it feels good.
Thank you for posting this video. My son and husband went to donate blood years ago and we donate money every year directly to her lab. My husband, who is not prone to exaggeration, says she is an angel.
Dr. Faustman thank you soooo much for giving us hope again. I never really believed in JDRF anyway. I did not walk to raise money yet because of time restraint, but now I think I never will for them anyway!
Thank you
[...] February, I was in Boston to film a segment on Dr. Denise Faustman and speak at a networking event, but I had a few hours before my train departed, so I took the T [...]
I support Dr Faustmans great work and I want to ask that everyone who cares about the potential cure could redouble our efforts and use the internet to contact more newspapers with many letters to the editor, op-eds, etc. Our voices are not beiong heard enough, the remaining 19 million dollars The Faustman Lab needs for Phase III is out there somewhere and we can help lobby to help Dr. Faustman achieve this important part of the clinical trials, that being funding. I know that after all the years and frustrations of wanting and trying to fund and find a cure that we as a juvenile diabetic community can grow tired and depressed about it but we are likely only a few years away from the miracle cure that we all seem to want. We need letters, op-ed pieces and news stories. The Faustman Lab should be the best fund raiser as they seem to have the best chance to help us get rid of the diabetes that causes all of us so many challenges.
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OF LOCAL, NATIONAL AND EVEN INTERNATIONAL publications. !!!!!!!!!
If any one wants a stack of brochures about the Faustman Lab please tell me and I will mail you some. They can be handed out at football games, events, parties etc. Kevin.beck27@yahoo.com
I do support Dr. Faustman’s work after reading article about her work in Scientific American. My mother was born in the 1920′s,and diagnosed with Type1 as a small child, before there were even BG meters and lived to be 47. I have Type 2, and I am hopeful for Dr. Faustman’s work showing promise. I also agree with the problems of funding due to the Diabetes Monopoly of thebig pharma, ADA etc. So yes, I wish dr. faustman’s work could be seen by mass media (thinking of Ellen De Generes show/Oprah type show
I had the honor of meeting Dr. Faustman (Harvard, Mass General Hospital) about 6 years ago. My daughter and sister have Type 1. Faustman hopes to start Phase II Clinical Trials this year. Please help get the word out about this; she has moved beyond the mice!
If anyone wants to learn more please visit my video blog about life with t1 diabetes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUIAPB7pMX4&sns=em
I talk about the lab and JDRF, please visit and tell me what you think in the comments about this research!
Thanks,
Evin
Yes, I am aware of Dr. Faustman’s research and think it it be a very truly hopeful endeavor!! I would love to see it take front/center news coverage & would thoroughly enjoy seeing them get every penny they need to go on with this promising research!!
I am a believer!