Calgary, AB – March, 13 2020 – In response to concerns regarding the global Coronavirus outbreak, JDRF Calgary has cancelled its popular “Picks and Plates” Gala while continuing the event’s online fundraising activities. The in-person event was scheduled to take place April 18 at Hotel Arts.
“Our annual ‘Picks and Plates’ Gala is a long-standing and important fundraiser for the T1D community. The health and safety of the type 1 diabetes community and our staff are our top priority, therefore we had to make this tough decision to cancel,” says Duane Schreiner, Regional Manager, Alberta & NWT. “Accelerating type 1 diabetes research is still critical so moving to online fundraising will provide a way to drive impact safely”.
The decision comes as Alberta Health has asked that all gatherings of 250 people or more be cancelled, in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.
Fundraising Continues
The “Picks and Plates” online fundraiser includes an online auction (more details to come), raffle and Fund-A-Cure campaign. You can purchase WestJet Raffle tickets or make a Fund-a-Cure donation here.
Future Events
To date, the “Picks and Plates” Gala is the only JDRF Calgary event that has been cancelled. In terms of other upcoming JDRF activities, such as awareness and educational events, the organization is making decisions on a case-by-case basis – taking into consideration the timing, location, and size of activities taking place.
“We are consulting with medical experts and reviewing the situation on a daily basis,” says Schreiner. “This is a unique situation and we will continue to thoughtfully review where things stand before making any decisions.”
Anyone wanting information about the online events, donations and gala ticket refunds can contact JDRF Canada at 403-255-7100 or email at calgary@jdrf.ca
About the “Picks and Plates” Gala
Launched in 2016, the “Picks and Plates” Gala has been an important JDRF fundraiser that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of funding for treatments and cures for type 1 diabetes.
About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, governments, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.ca.
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For more information:
Interim National Director, Marketing and Communications
T: 506-377-7805
