Love and Hope
Benefits Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
More than thirty years ago, the first Love and Hope Ball made its indelible mark on the South Florida social scene, creating an extraordinary evening for its guests and setting a standard of elegance and excitement that continues to delight and surprise its audience. Conceived from “a lot of love and hope for a cure,” this remarkable fundraising effort benefits the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami Miller School Medicine.
Even more impressive than the accomplishment of conceiving a new, ultra-fabulous theme each year is the fact that many members of the Love and Hope committee have worked tirelessly on this and the Underwriting/ Preview Party since inception.
But there is no one more synonymous with Love and Hope than its Life Chairman, Sonja Zuckerman.
Always at the helm of this impressive effort, Sonja guides, inspires and motivates those who work along with her. What began as a small group dedicated to putting on a fabulous event to raise funds for the DRI has evolved into a committee of more than 70 members, all dedicated to surpassing the previous year’s success and to seeing an end to diabetes.
The Love and Hope Ball remains the DRI’s signature event, attracting numerous supporters from the South Florida community and beyond. Throughout its history, the Ball and Preview Party have helped to raise more than $35 million for diabetes research. Love and Hope’s ongoing success is due to the efforts of an incredible committee and many generous supporters.
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
Love and Hope is an integral fundraising group for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, which was created in 1971 by a small group of parents of children with diabetes – parents committed to finding a cure for this devastating disease.
Driven by hope and fueled by the need to end their children’s suffering, they banded together to support a promising research program at the University of Miami solely aimed at curing those living with diabetes.
Today, the DRI Foundation is the organization of choice for those who are serious, passionate and committed to finding a cure for their loved ones and millions of others with diabetes.
Diabetes Research Institute
The Diabetes Research Institute, a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller 
The Diabetes Research Institute, a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet transplantation.
From innovations in islet isolation and transplant procedures to advances in cell biology and immunology, the DRI is now harnessing the power of emerging technologies to develop new cell-based therapies to restore insulin production.
For the millions of families already affected by diabetes who are looking to the world of science for answers, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.
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