Heather Carr of Suffolk has been appointed as a new board member for the Hampton Roads chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. JDRF is the leading global organization funding Type 1 diabetes research.

Chapter boards and their members provide volunteer guidance to the chapter and play vital roles in fundraising, leadership and advocacy activities to ensure that its efforts remain aligned with the needs of people who live with the disease.

“We congratulate Heather Carr and are delighted to welcome her to the JDRF Hampton Roads board of directors,” said Executive Director Cathy Chisholm. “As we look to draw more volunteers and improve the lives of every person affected by (Type 1 diabetes), we’re confident she will provide a balanced mix of strengths and talents to expand our engagement of the … community and help JDRF toward our common goal of creating a world without (Type 1 diabetes).”

The Hampton Roads chapter of JDRF was founded in 1995 and has established an impressive track record in patient education programs, support groups, public awareness and advocacy.

Type 1 diabetes strikes both children and adults at any age. Each year, more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults — approximately 80 people a day — are diagnosed with it in the U.S.

It comes on suddenly, causes dependence on injected or pumped insulin for life and carries the constant threat of devastating complications.

JDRF a global organization conducting research to end the disease and works with patients to institute various life-changing therapies to reduce the impact of the disease on their lives.