Our resource hub is home to a wealth of articles, stories and videos about managing and living with type 1 diabetes.
Place your order for our free information packs that support adults and children who have been recently diagnosed.
Our researchers are working on different ways to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes - from growing insulin-producing beta cells in labs to hacking the immune system.
Learn about the technologies that can deliver insulin automatically when needed. And discover the next generation of insulins that are currently being developed.
You could win a cash prize of up to £25,000 when you play the Breakthrough T1D lottery. As well as the chance to win great prizes, you’ll also help fund our research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Choose from a selection of modern and traditional designs in single or twin packs to support type 1 diabetes research this Christmas. Shop online and get fast delivery.
The announcement is the biggest treatment breakthrough for type 1 diabetes since the discovery of insulin.
This World Diabetes Day, we’re inviting you to celebrate by wearing your most joyful, whimsical and downright wonderful outfits.
We provide a wealth of information and free resources to help you support and empower your patients or students.
Take our free course for schools to learn more about supporting pupils with type 1 diabetes in educational settings.
JDRF has now rebranded to Breakthrough T1D. Our name has changed, our mission has not.
Home > Knowledge & support > About type 1 diabetes > What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a serious autoimmune condition that occurs when your immune system malfunctions. Instead of protecting us from viruses and bacteria, our immune system begins attacking and destroying the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
When someone without type 1 eats or drinks, insulin moves the sugar in the food and drink (called glucose) from their blood into the cells of their body so that they can use it as energy. If you develop type 1 diabetes, beta cells in your pancreas fail to produce insulin. As a result, glucose levels in your blood start to rise, and your body can’t function unless you replace the insulin.
Type 1 diabetes isn’t caused by poor diet or an unhealthy lifestyle. In fact, it isn’t caused by anything that you did or didn’t do, and there was nothing you could have done to prevent it.
There isn’t currently a cure for type 1 diabetes but we’re working on it. We fund researchers all over the world who are working as fast as they can to prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes, discover cures for people who already have type 1 and develop better treatments to help people live well with the condition.
The main treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin.
There is lots of technology available to help you measure your glucose levels and get insulin into your body. Find out more about treatments and technologies for type 1 diabetes.
Long-term, high and low glucose levels can cause complications including heart disease, kidney disease, problems with eyesight and loss of limbs. However, there are many things that can be done to help prevent and delay complications.
With the type 1 technology currently available and ongoing research to prevent, cure and treat type 1 diabetes, we hope that complications will one day become a thing of the past.
Find out more about the main signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes, which include tiredness, thirst, going to the toilet more frequently and weight loss.
Scientists are currently investigating the genetic and environmental factors that may trigger your immune system to attack the beta cells in your pancreas, causing type 1 diabetes.
All types of diabetes cause blood glucose levels to be higher than normal. Find out about the key differences between the major types.
Our guides can help provide you with information and support in your journey to living well with type 1 diabetes.
