I'm pleased to report that fiscal year 2008 was Joslin's best fundraising year in our 110-year history. Thanks to a deep commitment from our Board and individual donors, community supporters, diabetes industry corporations, and local media organizations, we were able to make a significant impact on our mission.

Under the leadership of Trustee John Cook, a new sub-Committee of the Board was formed that focuses solely on philanthropy. The members of the Development Committee have been instrumental in our reinvigorated fundraising activities from stewardship to major gifts.

2008 saw gifts that helped transformed the face of patient care at Joslin Clinic. The Hahnemann Hospital Foundation helped fund renovations to Joslin Clinic's patient registration and check-in areas, and a gift from the Gross Foundation resulted in the new Joslin Clinic Patient Learning Center, which provides patients access to online diabetes education resources.

Many members of the greater Boston community stepped in to help Joslin raise money and visibility in 2008, including local sports heroes Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox and his wife Enza Sambataro, and Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics, who with his wife Shannon have embraced the Joslin mission due to their son Walker's type 1 diabetes diagnosis, as well as our friends at National Amusements, ClearChannel Outdoor and WBZ-TV.

Our annual fund relies on generous gifts from individual donors and corporations in support of our signature events. The 4th Annual Joslin Under the Stars Presented by Walgreens chaired by Joslin Trustee Steve Kane, and the 9th Annual High Hopes Fund Gala Chaired by Joslin Trustee Ann Lagasse, were both very successful.

With your continued support, Joslin will remain the world’s leader in patient care and education while setting the standard for diabetes research.

Michael P. Sullivan Senior Vice President of Development