FOE DRC Laboratory.University of Iowa FoundationThe University of Iowa celebrated the dedication of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center (FOE DRC) on Saturday, August 23. The new facility, featuring 20,000 square feet of advanced research space with cutting-edge medical equipment, will allow the FOE DRC, with its 100 researchers, to pursue innovative diabetes research and find treatments and cures for the epidemic that affects more than 9 percent of the American population.

The FOE DRC is supported by a $25 million gift from the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a leading international community service organization, which was raised by 800,000 members across North America. “The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center is one of the most visionary projects I’ve ever encountered,” said UI President Sally Mason. “Housed in our new Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, where cutting-edge, breakthrough research will take place, the FOE DRC is poised to be on the forefront of diabetes research and to make significant advances in diabetes research in the next decade.”

“With the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, our organization will forever be linked with groundbreaking medical research that will change the lives of millions around the world,” said FOE Grand Worthy President Bud Haigh. “We set out on this journey six years ago to further establish the Eagles as a group dedicated to impacting the world and we’re proud to say we’ve done that through the FOE DRC.”

“For more than a century, the FOE has been centered on identifying problems and working collectively to help provide solutions to those problems,” said FOE Grand Madam President Gloria Mason. “Diabetes is a growing problem affecting lives within the Eagles and around the world. We’re proud to stand at the forefront of the fight against diabetes and work toward the ultimate solution – a cure.”

The dedication celebration took place at the Coralville Marriott, minutes from the University of Iowa campus, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 23, and included remarks from UI President Sally Mason, FOE leadership, and notable Eagles members including singer Tony Orlando and comedian Tom Parks.

Nearly one in 12 Americans is affected by diabetes, including young Iowans such as Micah Cabbage, who was diagnosed at age 12. Micah’s mother, Joanne, said, “These kids have to live with the burden of diabetes every minute of every day; they can’t just be kids. It would be life changing to not think about diabetes all of the time. If the work at the FOE DRC can bring us to that point, it would mean everything to us.”

Founded in 1898, the Eagles fund research in areas such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and cancer, and raise money for neglected and abused children and aged, as well as work for social and civic change.