The Reporter: February 1997, Vol.8, No.1
Columbia's Profiles in Giving
JoAnn M. and Joseph M. Murphy

In the 1970s, after two of their five children were diagnosed with diabetes, JoAnn M. and Joseph M. Murphy became active in supporting research to find a cure for the condition. They have been leading fund-raisers for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, helping to establish a local chapter. Today, the Murphy children are in their 30s and continue to face the challenges of living with diabetes. So, after an infant granddaughter was also diagnosed with diabetes, the Murphys reinforced their efforts to make life better for the estimated 16 million Americans with diabetes. Now, the Murphys are involved in diabetes research through their support of programs at CPMC.

The Murphys are unique because they not only give funds for diabetes research, but also are active in raising additional funds. They work as a team, currently co-chairing CPMC's Diabetes Advisory Committee.

Although diabetes affects more than a million residents of New York City, no major center in the area offers a comprehensive approach to treatment, research, and teaching for this chronic condition. As co-chairs, the Murphys are involved in helping to plan for a new diabetes center--conceived collaboratively by the chairmen of P&S departments of medicine, surgery, and pediatrics--that will build on Columbia's existing strengths in biomedical research, a uniquely diverse patient base, multiple technological resources, and an unusual breadth of experience and skill. With this new resource, Columbia will become a world-class leader for the advancement of diabetes treatment through scientific discovery and in-depth education and training.

The Murphys have pledged a major gift to establish a fund at Columbia for advancing progress in education, research, and treatment concerned with the management of diabetes.