Boston Pizza Foundation donates $1 Million to Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation's Artificial Pancreas Project

Single largest private-sector donation to the Artificial Pancreas Project for JDRF Canada

TORONTO, June 16 /CNW/ - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Canada announced today a $1 million contribution by the Boston Pizza Foundation. The 'Boston Pizza Foundation Artificial Pancreas Fund' will support research and clinical trials related to the Artificial Pancreas, a device, which, when fully developed, would be the first automated system available on the market to dispense insulin based on real-time changes in blood sugar levels, helping people better manage type 1 diabetes.

"All of us at Boston Pizza are pleased our gift will help this breakthrough research dramatically improve the daily lives of millions of people who suffer from type 1 diabetes," says Cheryl Treliving, executive director, Boston Pizza Foundation. "This donation and the millions of dollars the Boston Pizza Foundation has contributed to JDRF since 2001 fit perfectly with our mission to directly improve the health and well-being of children and families across Canada."

Over 300,000 Canadians live with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease which strikes children and adults suddenly, leaving them dependant on insulin for life. Research has shown that good blood sugar control is a key factor in reducing the risk of the devastating long-term complications of the disease such as blindness and kidney failure.

"We're thrilled to be a part of this outstanding opportunity with The Boston Pizza Foundation. This generous gift from the Foundation is the single largest private-sector contribution JDRF Canada has ever received towards the Artificial Pancreas Project. This Project has tremendous potential to positively impact the lives of children and adults living with diabetes. The Boston Pizza Foundation is helping us get one step closer to that goal." says Andrew McKee, President and CEO, JDRF Canada.

An artificial pancreas would measure blood sugar and beam those readings to an insulin pump. In an advanced system, the pump would house a sophisticated computer program that would automatically calculate the necessary amount of insulin, based on glucose readings and deliver the right amount of insulin, thus helping people with type 1 diabetes manage blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

JDRF is the worldwide leader for research to cure type 1 diabetes. It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Since 2001, the Boston Pizza Foundation has donated more than $2 million to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

About the Boston Pizza Foundation

The Boston Pizza Foundation raises funds for many charities across Canada, including Kids Help Phone, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Since its inception in 1990, the Boston Pizza Foundation has raised more than $10.5 million through various fundraising initiatives, the money raised supports local, national, and global non-profit organizations, all of which directly improve the health and well-being of children and families.

About Boston Pizza

Boston Pizza International Inc. is Canada's No. 1 casual dining brand with more than 340 restaurants in Canada and system-wide sales of $850 million in 2009. Annually, Boston Pizza serves more than 40 million guests. The company has been recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies every year since 1993 and was named one of Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures by Waterstone Human Capital for 2007 and 2008. Boston Pizza International Inc. is headquartered in Richmond, B.C. and has regional offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Laval, Quebec. For more information visit: www.bostonpizza.com.

For further information: NATIONAL Public Relations: Megan Spoore, Joscelyn Smith, 416-586-0180, [email protected], [email protected]; Boston Pizza Foundation Contact: Cheryl Treliving, Executive Director, Boston Pizza Foundation, 604-270-1108, [email protected]