Harold Hamm Diabetes Centre announces award for biomedical research in diabetes

HHDC will award and administer the $250,000 prize

With a goal of stimulating innovative scientific research to find a cure for diabetes, the Harold Hamm Diabetes Centre (HHDC) at the University of Oklahoma recently announced the establishment of the Harold Hamm International Prize for Biomedical Research in Diabetes.

HHDC, a comprehensive centre of excellence integrating novel research, world-class patient care, and large-scale prevention programmes, will award and administer the $250,000 prize, one of the largest of its kind in the world, to recognise and promote lasting achievements in diabetes research.

The announcement was made by David L Boren, President of the University of Oklahoma, and Harold G Hamm, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Continental Resources, Inc, who both have type II diabetes and are passionate about diabetes research and care. The announcement comes just prior to the opening of the American Diabetes Association’s 72^nd Scientific Sessions.

“We can no longer ignore the growing global epidemic that is having a devastating impact on young and old alike and costing health systems worldwide billions of dollars each year,” said Boren. “At the Harold Hamm Diabetes Centre, we are on a mission to find a cure for diabetes and provide those suffering from the disease with dramatically improved clinical care. Our doctors are dedicated and focused on this mission and the establishment of the Harold Hamm International Prize for Biomedical Research in Diabetes will help us extend our reach to support and recognise others who share our passion. I would like to thank Harold Hamm, whose generosity and personal commitment to improving the lives of those with diabetes has led to the establishment of this important Prize.”

“My hope is that by launching this major new international research prize, we will light a worldwide fire of scientific innovation toward finding a cure for diabetes within this generation,” said Hamm. “I’m excited to be part of this next chapter in the fight against diabetes and to see the outstanding new research the prize search will encourage and recognise.”

The prize will be awarded biennially to a laureate selected by a rotating jury of national and international leaders in the field of diabetes. It will be awarded solely on the basis of scientific merit, recognising scientific breakthroughs in the field of diabetes, either type I or type II (or both), with special emphasis on progress towards a cure. Individual researchers, teams of researchers, and research institutions are eligible for nomination by the jury.

Boren added, “It’s fitting that this prize is being established at the Harold Hamm Diabetes Centre With Oklahoma ranking fourth in the US in the prevalence of diabetes, our Centre has emerged as a world leader in diabetes research, treatment, and prevention. The launch of the prize is a great opportunity to further expand the Centre’s reach and collaborations to become a national and international leader in this important field. We must continue the momentum to make a meaningful impact on the diabetes health crisis.”

The growing severity of the global diabetes epidemic has become a pressing healthcare crisis. According to the International Diabetes Foundation, in 2011, there were 366 million people worldwide with diabetes and by 2030, that number is projected to grow to 552 million. HHDC’s mission and its researchers’ passion is to be a catalyst for progress for a cure.

To learn more about the Prize and its selection process, please visit www.HaroldHammPrize.org

EP News Bureau – Mumbai